New Pact Agents

04/03/2015

YEWA SOUTH/IPOKIA FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY 2015: HON. ABIODUN ISIAQ AKINLADE AND OTHER CONTESTANTS (Part 2).

The first part of this series on 'YEWA SOUTH/IPOKIA FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY' was published more than a week ago. I received numerous feedbacks from readers via phone calls, email and comments on the social media. My attention was also drawn to some frantic effort by a particular supporter of the S.D.P House of Reps candidate who strived to put some stuffs together as (what he called) achievements in defence of his candidate who had been in the saddle in different capacities and at different times as i.e Executive Chairman Ipokia Local Government, OPIC Board Member and Commissioner II on another Board of the Ogun State Government.

In the article, I emphasised more on the importance of each candidate's history (past) as a criteria for choosing our next representative and afterwards concluded that "So far, the candidates of the S.D.P and A.P.C who are running against the incumbent Rep Member - that is the P.D.P candidate-, in my opinion, do not measure up to the standard and thus do not qualify, unless of course we have resolved to paralyse the active pace at which our incumbent House of Rep Member is moving."

In the light of the fore going therefore, it will not be out of place to say that Hon. Abiodun Isiaq Akinlade is currently the only House of Rep candidate in Yewa South/Ipokia Federal Constituency 'cos the others are nowhere to be found.

The main reason for this conclusion is that Akinlade is facing a shambolic A.P.C/SDP candidates who do not seem to have a clue about what it takes to run an effective (Issue based) campaign against a legislator of his (Akinlade's) calibre, who, beyond his constituency, has given a face (Nationally) to the "Yewa Nation" and also displayed great courage and cultural values in his relationship with other Senatorial districts and institutions of the state.

For example; As a Philanthropist, and being the 'Chairman House of Reps Committee on Science and Technology', after several request by royal fathers from Ogun Central he donated: modern and fully furnished Conference and exhibition hall to the National Board for Technology Incubation Centre, Onijanganjangan Abeokuta which is 90% Completed and almost ready for commissioning (most likely) by the Science and Technology Minister before elections.

Still in Ogun Central and on request too, Akinlade donated: fully equipped Information and Communication Technology Centre, backed by Solar to Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Abeokuta (an Ogun state owned tertiary institution).

He also donated: fully equipped Information and Communication Technology Centre, backed by Solar to Africa's oldest club, 'Abeokuta Sports Club'

He donated: fully equipped Information and Communication Technology Centre, backed by Solar to 59, Artillery Brigade, Alamala Army Barracks on request.

In Ogun East, he has his impact in the form of Projects @ the Premier University of Education;Tai Solarin, Ijagun Ijebu-Ode, just as same @ the Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago Iwoye.

His contribution to the Federal Government's Technology Incubation Centre @ Odogbolu has seen ten (10) standard incubation units completed; where different Ogun Indigenous business/Industries at their elementary stage will be admitted for an Incubation period of 3 years, during which the business/industries will have access to required production machines and mentoring as a means of boosting their capitals.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

So, exactly what is the game plan of the opposition in campaigning against a man with such robust achievement records and good personal relationship with people and institution across the state, especially in his Federal Constituency? Nothing more than trying to hide under a sentiment!

Rather than continuously make infantile and primitive statements, the House of Reps candidates of the oppositions (A.P.C/S.D.P) needs to seriously up their game by not just talking guile and mentioning Akinlade Abiodun's name but by showcasing what they've been able to do for the people as public office holders in the past.

This coming election is neither about 'sentiment' nor 'tribe', but more about 'achievements and vision'. Achievements in terms of what the candidates have been able to do in their various public offices and what they intend to do in the office they are aspiring for.

{Please be on the look-out for the Part 3 of this series}

Vote Wisely…

Vote P.D.P !!!

Thanks for your time.
Oyedokun Julius Babatunde.

09/01/2015

A PRESS STATEMENT BY HONORABLE ABIODUN ISIAQ AKINLADE (CHAIRMAN HOUSE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY).

TIME TO SET FORTH.

My dear people of Ogun State, political leaders, party faithful, the Akinlade political family across the State, distinguished TAG (The Akinlade {social media} Group) members, friends and well wishers, I must sincerely thank and commend our dogged spirit of resilience, perseverance, uncommon display of courage and determination that had sustained me this far. I thank all our Traditional Rulers, Community Leaders, Religious Leaders, the Youths, the Media, Labour Leaders, Trade Unions, Civil Society Organisations, Artisans and Non-Governmental Organisations for their special interest and show of affection. It is indeed heart warming and inspiring to say the least.
The events of the past few months has really been tortuous and challenging. The organisational structure and internal mechanism of our party; The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been tested to its very foundation; Our commitment to democratic ethos and party discipline has also been put to test. Our utmost believe and fervent hope in Ogun West Agenda has also been truthfully gauged. But we must thank God that we have not been found wanting or falter across board.

I appreciate the firm support and commitment of all and sundry towards the realisation of our collective goal,(Ogun Governorship Seat). Yes, we actually prepared to give Ogun People a new face of governance that they will all cherish through our NEW PACT, but Man Proposes God disposes.
However, irrespective of the outcome of our party disposition which has seen my compatriot and brother in struggle for the emancipation of our people; Prince Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka getting the nod of the party to fly her flag in the 2015 governorship election, as a loyal party member who believes in her supremacy, we must not waiver neither should we despair because we had all given our very best of effort to the Agenda, but God knows best.

The party and her Organogram's decision is supreme, PDP is greater than any individual including my humble self, hence we must all work together to bring the elusive seat to our people and be united in this course for once. To all my supporters, I humbly plead for your understanding in this regards. Ultimately, as we stand on the threshold of history, I remain committed to the yearning and aspirations of our people by joining hand with my brother Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka to provide the needed leadership and understanding towards the socio-economic and political emancipation of our people.
We must not be deterred nor back slide in the pursuit of salvaging our people from the shackles of poverty, neglect and marginalisation in all ramifications. Here comes a time to let all and sundry know that, it is not in our destiny to always dis-unite. We must tell the world that the problems are not in our stars but ourselves and we can actually overcome them. We might have been taunted severally but we must not be daunted. We must henceforth stop agonising about our short-comings and predicament but get organised for the good and sake of our people. Time to set forth is now!

A time like this demands that we bury our hatchet, individual egos and ambition for the collective goal of our people. No doubt there is strength in Unity, because when united, there is possibly little we cannot do as a people in a host of cooperative ventures like the one at hand.

My dear good people, as the electioneering process reaches it's feverish peak, we must realise that any effort to contribute to the development, empowerment, collective happiness of our people and the success of our party at polls must not be sparred whatever the circumstances. And just as Winston Churchill said "Nothing succeeds like success and responsibility is the price of competence". Our party in her wisdom has thereby entrusted another responsibility on me to contest for the House Representative of my constituency in Yewa South/ Ipokia for the fourth time. Though I didn't bargain for this from the outset, but i'm humble by this gesture once again and I thank all those who made this possible.

Let me specially thank my good of Ipokia for their high level magnanimity and political understanding.

Finally, I urge all our people across the length and breath of the state to vote for our Party (PDP) in all the various elective position in the forth coming general election so as to take our state and country to a greater height. I 'BELIEVE' Ogun people deserves a better government than we are presently getting.

God Bless Ogun West
God Bless Ogun State
God Bless the People's Democratic Party and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Signed:
Hon. Abiodun Isiaq Akinlade.

08/01/2015

NOTICE! NOTICE!! NOTICE!!!

This is to inform the general public, especially dwellers of Yewa South/Ipokia Federal Constituency that admission forms for prospective beneficiaries into the 6th Batch of the Akinlade Free ICT Scheme is now out.

Admission forms will be available for collection and submission between Thursday 8th January through Thursday16th January 2015 @ our ICT centres in Owode, Yewa South Local Government and Idiroko, Ipokia Local Government while entrance examination holds Saturday 17th January 2015.

For more informations, contact: 08035329199, 08035131705, 08038121347.
Thanks.
Announcer: Management.

25/11/2014

2015: JUSTIFYING OGUN WEST AS PDP GUBERNATORIAL FLAG BEARER

Posted by Babatunde Ojetola in COLUMNISTS, NEWS, OPINION, POLITICS on November 25, 2014

1:28 pm / no comments
By Dr. Kunle Salako

As the 2015 general election approaches, political parties in Ogun State are putting up their thinking cap in order to come up with the right combination for the gubernatorial election that will win the election for them. Party chieftains seem to agree that the senatorial districts of gubernatorial candidates presented by the political parties will play a significant role in determining the pattern of voting for such candidates.In general terms, it will appear that the major parties are agreed that the 2015 guber race is between Ogun West Senatorial District (Yewa-Awori) and Ogun Central Senatorial District (Egba).

This is clearly reflected on the quantity and qualities of aspirants jostling for the gubernatorial position from the two districts particularly in the major opposition party in Ogun State, the PDP where Ogun West has 3 aspirants. Ogun Central 9 and Ogun East only 1. The other serious opposition party, the SDP has only 1 gubernatorial aspirant from Ogun Central.WHAT IS CURRENT ON GROUND IN THE STATEThe incumbent governor in the state, Senator Ibikunle Amosun is from Ogun Central Senatorial District and it’s almost 100% sure that he will be the flag-bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) bearing any development beyond human control. It is also a statement of fact that today not less than 60% of the resources of the sate is being deployed in Ogun Central senatorial district with Ogun East a distant second of about 25% and Ogun West coming far behind with about 15%.

Today, in Ogun state, there is no doubt that the current administration led by Senator Ibikunle Amosun has completely changed the landscape of Ogun Central and ordinary Egba people are not only happy with this development but are ready to identify with Senator Amosun in his second term project.The common saying on the streets of Egba today is that “tita riro laa kola, toba jina tan, oge nii da. Another, common saying in the political circle is that even Lisabi Agbongbo Akala who is seen as the hero of the Egbas can not defeat Senator Amosun in Egbaland today. It is therefore very likely that bearing any unforeseen development, the bulk of Egba vote in the 2015 election will be delivered for Senator Amosun and the APC. In essence, the APC seems to have settled its gubernatorial slot not only to the incumbent governor but also to the senatorial district where the party is strongest and bulk vote very likely.Clearly, the PDP is the party that has the capacity to give the incumbent governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and his party the APC any serious challenge in the coming general election .

Most analysts and political watcher agree that the 2015 election in Ogun State is essentially between the PDP and the APC. Since it appears that the gubernatorial candidate for the APC is settled for Ogun Central, the PDP needs to do a critical SWOT analysis of its aspirants for the gubernatorial position vis a vis their senatorial districts and the level of bulk votes that such an aspirant can deliver from his district.

MAKING A CASE FOR OGUN WEST
1) Most Ogun West people believe that the current tenure being served by Senator Amosun was stolen from them through high wire political intrigues led by some powerful elements to install their own kinsman as the governor of the state.
2) Despite this widespread perception of stolen slot by Senator Amosun, Ogun West has benefited least from his government in terms of political appointment, projects ex*****on and general patronage.

Similarly, Ogun West is a good ground to harness massive votes for the PDP provided the right sub-ethnic sentiments is properly accommodated:

A) The long years (38years) of non occupation of the governorship seat by somebody from Ogun West has created a groundswell of sentiments of marginalization of Ogun West people in the scheme of things. Ogun West people are therefore very thirsty for one of them to occupy the position and can be much more easily mobilized to vote massively for a popular gubernatorial candidate from the district.

B) The various non-political stakeholders in Ogun West are organized through various associations like Yewa Awori Youths Agenda Forum (YAYAF), Ogun West Rebirth, Association of Clubs and Societies in Ogun West (ACASOW), Ogun West Professionals, Yewa Awori Coalition Movement (YACM) etc and are ready to work with a popular candidate from Ogun West to ensure victory at the polls.

C) The massive vote from Ogun West will largely compensate for the envisaged deficit from Ogun Central while the Ogun East vote who traditionally are sympathetic to the Ogun West people will be the decider.

D) Ogun west has the voters population to make this significant impact and overturn whatever lead Senator Amosun and the APC is likely to garner from Ogun Central. By the 2011 registration figures, Ogun West is second with 617,599 registered voters representing 33%.

E) If the votes from Ibara , Imala, Ilewo, Ishaga and other adjoining locations in Ogun Central who are of Yewa origin is added to the vote of Ogun West, it is obvious that the Yewa-Awori vote will be in majority. It is important to state that the traditional rulers of this towns above i.e Olubara of Ibara, Omala of Imala, Elewo of Ilewo and Olu of Ishaga though by government arrangement are in Egba Traditional Council, they are active members of Conference of Yewa Obas which clearly shows that they identify with their Yewa origin.

CONCLUSION.
The above verifiable facts and figures clearly show that, the best approach to unseat Governor Ibikunle Amosun is to pick a popular candidate from Ogun West Senatorial District.This same approach was used in 2003 when Otunba Gbenga Daniel from Remo (3 local governments), Ogun East was used to unseat Aremo Segun Osoba who was then the sitting Governor. Similarly, in 2007 when a strong attempt was made to unseat Otunba Gbenga Daniel, it was by somebody from a senatorial district different from that of the then incumbent Governor.It is critical to state that should PDP pick its candidate from Ogun Central, the Ogun West people are likely to be left with no other option than to accept the various reproach by Sen. Amosun and negotiate with him for an arrangement towards 2019. Any new Gubernatorial candidate from Ogun Central will largely be seen as an attempt by the Egbas to spend 12 straight years in the governorship saddle of Ogun state and will seriously put the politicians in Ogun West at a great disadvantage when it comes to the issue of campaigning.

All Governor Amosun and his team will have to do in such a circumstance is to deploy propaganda that he has reached an agreement with Ogun West leaders to hand over to an indigene of the district at the end of his second term in 2019.In 2007, for the re-election of Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the same strategy was used which resulted in PDP wining massively in the Ogun West with little or no violence.In summary, for the PDP to win back Ogun State in 2015, the most viable and promising approach is a popular gubernatorial candidate from Ogun West Senatorial District who has verifiable proof of acceptance by his people with records of electoral value.

Iziaq Kunle SALAKO
MBBS, MPH,Former Commissioner for Health, Ogun State

23/11/2014

Abiodun Akinlade’s popularity waxes stronger

Posted by: our reporter in Glamour 17 hours ago

HON Abiodun Akinlade is one of the governorship aspirants on the platform of the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State who is presently garnering uncommon and wide support ahead of the party’s governorship primaries.

The amiable third term House of Representatives member has turned out to be a key figure in the Ogun PDP guber race and seems to be getting needed support and endorsement from stakeholders.

Akinlade, who was the first aspirant to signify his intention to contest against the incumbent, is leaving no stone unturned as the passion for his conviction has taken him across wards, local governments and state executive of his party to solicit their support.Sources disclosed that aside the massive domestic support he is getting from the three senatorial districts in the state, the Yewa-born lawmaker seems to have the support of unseen hands in Abuja.

Regarded as a humble and popular philanthropist with untainted record, his passion for his constituent, Yewa/Ipokia federal constituency has endeared him to the people of the district and other parts of the state.

Last week, a team of young professionals across the state were said to have visited the chairman of the House Committee on Science and Technology, pledging their commitment to his aspiration
http://thenationonlineng.net/new/abiodun-akinlades-popularity-waxes-stronger/

Abiodun Akinlade’s popularity waxes stronger Posted by: our reporter in Glamour 15 hours ago HON Abiodun Akinlade is one of the governorship aspirants on the platform of the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State who is presently garnering uncommon and wide support ahead of the…

17/11/2014

OGUN 2015: Why Abiodun Akinlade is the MAN

education with an HND in Accountancy from the prestigious Federal Polytechnic, Ibadan, MBA from University of Ado Ekiti and Honourary doctorate degree in management. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Local Government and Public Administration, Associate Member, Nigeria Institute of Management, Fellow, Institute of Public Administration, Honorary fellow, American Academy of Project Management.
Akinlade as we all know is a 3rd term member of the House of Representatives and is therefore today one of the 2 most senior National Assembly member under the platform of the PDP in the entire Yoruba land.
is politically experienced and can be regarded as a core politician.

He is not dependent on family dynasty for his political successes and the average Ogun State person can easily relate with him.
He has been able to command and maintain sizeable followership despite his having had to move across party lines.
election in 2011 is a study in Divine political favour and deep appreciation by his people. On that day 27th April, 3 ballot papers were given out to the voters in Yewa South/Ipokia Federal constituency: 1 each for house of Assembly in Ipokia and Yewa South, 1 for house of representative and the other for the gubernatorial seat. Only Akinlade won his election for ACN while the other 3 ballots were won by the candidates of PDP.
He can relate very well across political divide and has supporters across the other major political parties in the state Vis-a-Vis LP, APC, SDP, etc.
By his family tree he is related to Ogun Central through Isagha in Abeokuta North where his great grant father hails from and also through his wife who is from Ikereku in Abeokuta North
served at the National Assembly for almost 12years, he has the right network and connection in Abuja.
He is well connected to the trade unions especially NLC, NUJ and NUT.
He is also well connected to the student union movement being a former student union leader himself. He has facilitated the construction of ICT centers for use by students of TASUED, FPI and OOU, Ayetoro campus. Also a multi-purpose civic centre worth over N150 million has been facilitated to FPI.

He is a community activist who co-founded the Yewa Awori Youths Agenda Forum (YAYAF)- a socio-political action group for youths of Ogun West Senatorial District.

He is popular in the 2 army barracks in Ogun state having facilitated construction of ICT centres for use by them.

He is a practicing Muslim but not a religious fanatics and relates well with people of different faith. He holds several Islamic titles and several awards from Christian organisations.

He has a clear vision of where he wants Ogun state to be as captured by his manifesto titled THE NEW PACT: PEOPLE FIRST.

IN SUMMARY, HON. ABIODUN ISIAQ AKINLADE HAS ALL IT TAKES TO BE THE FLAG BEARER OF THE PDP IN OGUN STATE BY MERIT.

HIS PEOPLE IN YEWA SOUTH/IPOKIA FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY LOVES HIM

WEST PEOPLE LOVES

OGUN STATE PEOPLE WILL MASSIVELY SUPPORT HIM.

WITH THE SUPPORT OF OGUN EAST AND OGUN CENTRAL SENATORIAL DISTRICTS THE MISSION TO PUT THE PEOPLE OF OGUN STATE FIRST WILL BECOME A REALITY AND PDP WILL RECLAIM ITS LOST GLORY IN THE STATE.
Ohun Eniyan, L'Ohun Olorun.

04/11/2014

THE COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE OF AKINLADE AS PDP GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE FOR THE 2015 GENERAL ELECTIONS

Why is PDP running for election?

Basically to take over the reigns of government democratically so that the manifesto of the party as contained in section 7 (2) of the party's constitution can be implemented.

In order to achieve this, the PDP must present a popular, credible and experienced candidate who has the right network to mobilise human and material resources to win the election

WHAT OGUN WEST HAS TO OFFER

With a population of 1,112,761 (30%) which is comparable to that of Ogun East 1,250,435 (33%) and Ogun Central 1,387,944 (37%) Ogun West has the population to make a significant impact with their vote. If the population of our Kith's and kins in Imala, Ishaga, Ibara-Orile, Ilewo etc in Abeokuta North local government is taken into consideration, clearly The Yewa-Awori controls more than 1/3rd of Ogun state population.

It is interesting to note that by the last 2011 voters registration exercise, Ogun west is second with 617,599 (33%) registered voters .

At the 2011 gubernatorial election, Ogun West delivered 223,018 voters representing about 32% of the total votes cast.

CLEARLY, OGUN WEST IS NOT A MINORITY IN OGUN STATE IN TERMS OF POPULATION AND REGISTERED VOTERS.

In the almost 40years history of Ogun state, Ogun West has never produced the governor of the state. Ogun West people therefore feel highly marginalized.

THE SENATORIAL DISTRICT IS THIRSTY AND VERY HUNGRY FOR POLITICAL FAIRNESS, EQUITY AND JUSTICE and will vote massively for the political party that presents a qualified indigene of the district as it gubernatorial flag bearer.

Why Akinlade?
education with an HND in Accountancy from the prestigious Federal Polytechnic, Ibadan, MBA from University of Ado Ekiti and Honourary doctorate degree in management. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Local Government and Public Administration, Associate Member, Nigeria Institute of Management, Fellow, Institute of Public Administration, Honorary fellow, American Academy of Project Management.
Akinlade as we all know is a 3rd term member of the House of Representatives and is therefore today one of the 2 most senior National Assembly member under the platform of the PDP in the entire Yoruba land.
is politically experienced and can be regarded as a core politician.

He is not dependent on family dynasty for his political successes and the average Ogun State person can easily relate with him.
He has been able to command and maintain sizeable followership despite his having had to move across party lines.
election in 2011 is a study in Divine political favour and deep appreciation by his people. On that day 27th April, 3 ballot papers were given out to the voters in Yewa South/Ipokia Federal constituency: 1 each for house of Assembly in Ipokia and Yewa South, 1 for house of representative and the other for the gubernatorial seat. Only Akinlade won his election for ACN while the other 3 ballots were won by the candidates of PDP.
He can relate very well across political divide and has supporters across the other major political parties in the state Vis-a-Vis LP, APC, SDP, etc.
By his family tree he is related to Ogun Central through Isagha in Abeokuta North where his great grant father hails from and also through his wife who is from Ikereku in Abeokuta North
served at the National Assembly for almost 12years, he has the right network and connection in Abuja.
He is well connected to the trade unions especially NLC, NUJ and NUT.
He is also well connected to the student union movement being a former student union leader himself. He has facilitated the construction of ICT centers for use by students of TASUED, FPI and OOU, Ayetoro campus. Also a multi-purpose civic centre worth over N150 million has been facilitated to FPI.

He is a community activist who co-founded the Yewa Awori Youths Agenda Forum (YAYAF)- a socio-political action group for youths of Ogun West Senatorial District.

He is popular in the 2 army barracks in Ogun state having facilitated construction of ICT centres for use by them.

He is a practicing Muslim but not a religious fanatics and relates well with people of different faith. He holds several Islamic titles and several awards from Christian organisations.

He has a clear vision of where he wants Ogun state to be as captured by his manifesto titled THE NEW PACT: PEOPLE FIRST.

IN SUMMARY, HON. ABIODUN ISIAQ AKINLADE HAS ALL IT TAKES TO BE THE FLAG BEARER OF THE PDP IN OGUN STATE BY MERIT.

HIS PEOPLE IN YEWA SOUTH/IPOKIA FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY LOVES HIM

WEST PEOPLE LOVES

OGUN STATE PEOPLE WILL MASSIVELY SUPPORT HIM.

WITH THE SUPPORT OF OGUN EAST AND OGUN CENTRAL SENATORIAL DISTRICTS THE MISSION TO PUT THE PEOPLE OF OGUN STATE FIRST WILL BECOME A REALITY AND PDP WILL RECLAIM ITS LOST GLORY IN THE STATE.
Ohun Eniyan, L'Ohun Olorun.

25/10/2014

OGUN 2015: House of Reps’ Science & Tech Cmtte Chairman Picks Guber Form

Posted by Publication Director in NEWS, POLITICS on October 24, 2014 5:56 pm / no comments

Ahead of November 29th Governorship Primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party, the Chairman, House of Reps Committee on Science and Technology, Hon. Abiodun Isiaq Akinlade on Friday picked the nomination form to contest the Ogun State governorship election primaries on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

NigerianEcho gathered that Akinlade, who is representing Yewa South/Ipokia Federal Constituency for the third consecutive term is the only one among the many PDP Guber aspirants from Ogun State to have picked the N14M nomination form at the party’s national secretariat, wadata plaza Abuja.

Speaking with Journalists shortly after he picked his forms, Akinlade said his party will defeat the incumbent because the people have lost trust in the administration. ” The PDP in Ogun State is now one united family and a house built on the rock with Prince Buruji Kashamu as the leader and I strongly believe that we will coast home to victory in the 2015 elections. The people are tired of insensitivity to their plight that this administration represents”, Akinlade said.

The PDP in the last few weeks has witnessed exodus of numerous bigwigs and party faithfuls into its fold from the All Progressive Congress and Labour Party including the former governor of the state Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

Akinlade expressed optimism that this influx has positioned PDP as the party to beat in Ogun State.” Our party is now ready to send this administration packing. An administration that has relegated the interests of the masses to the background with its anti people activities.“The people have not witnessed this before, APC has done damage to the psyche of the people. But the good news is that this impunity will stop when PDP takes over the reign in the State and that’s why I am running for the office of the Governor. I want to turn things around for the good of our people with my manifesto tagged ” New Pact”, Akinlade concluded.

18/10/2014

OGUN 2015; IN SEARCH OF PDP WINNING FORMULAR.

As the 2015 general elections hots up, there should be no serious doubt that in Ogun State, it is going two horse race battle between the APC and PDP. The APC has already got her job well cut out with the choice of her gubernatorial candidate in the Incumbent Governor Ibikunle Amosun. The governor has been able to suppress all internal opposition to his candidature. The Chief Olusegun Osoba led faction can at very best look for political greener pasture elsewhere be it through the AGN or otherwise.
The PDP on her part has also got its rank and files more enriched with the coming on board of Otunba Gbenga Daniel led faction of Labour Party. But the challenge the PDP will be facing is the choice of its gubernatorial candidate. The party needs a winning formula and a personality that can lead the party to victory at the poll. The arrays of personalities in the likes of Alhaji Rafiu Ogunleye, Hon Jelili Kayode Amosun, Hon Dimeji Bankole, Engnr Tony Ojesina, Hon Isiaq Abiodun Akinlade and Omoba Segun Adewale has already signified their intention to fly the party's flag. Feelers also has it that duo of Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka and Prince Yanju Lipede might join the race in due course. But for now, they are still studying their crystal ball but unfortunately time is no longer their friend.

All these aforementioned aspirants have their assets and liabilities politically; Hon Amusan was a former two terms member of House of Representatives, he lost out in the high wired political chess game of 2011 general election. He is from Ogun Central, a senatorial district that the present governor hails from. If the PDP settle for Hon Amusan, then Governor Amosun look good to return to Oke Mosan Government House. This is because the governor will likely polls more than 60 percent of expected votes from the area considering the level of 'subjective' performance of the governor and go on to win, may be slightly in the other two senatorial districts.

The PDP will automatically face the same scenario if not worse if Hon Dimeji Bankole fly the party' flag, because he is also from Ogun Central. Hon Dimeji Bankole lost out at the poll in his bid to return to the House of Representatives as a Sitting Speaker of the House in 2011. His constituency then is just one Local Government(Abeokuta South). If Hon Dimeji lost as a Sitting Speaker with all the apparatus of the office around him in 2011, then the question is, has any magic wand turned around his political trajectory between then and now? The truth is, Hon Dimeji Bankole popularity and political acceptance might have dropped drastically. This is because immediately after he lost the election, he abandoned the party and all the people who were always with him. Instances are abound. He went on political siberia or better still sabbatical which might have affected his political structure if he has any, in no small measure before his return. The EFCC case didn't also help him much. Hon Dimeji Bankole as a flag bearer will automatically be a disaster in waiting for PDP as Governor Amosun will just be on a roller coaster to victory as no amount of image laundry mechanism can swing the victory for the with Dimeji as co-efficient of PDP.

As for Alhaji Rafiu Ogunleye, age is not on his side any longer. At over 74 years of age, baba might be too old for the job at hand. Ogun state is a highly sophisticated State that require a man full of vigour and energy to confront Governor Amosun in the first instance. More so Baba's political structure outside Ogun East, his base, is near zero. If the party settle for Baba, the tendency is that both PDP and APC will split Ogun East votes into two at best for the PDP, while APC will have a resounding victory in Ogun Central. APC will also carry the day in Ogun West because all APC needs to do is for Governor Amosun is to assure the people of Ogun West of his support comes 2019 and that would do the magic of bulk votes for APC.

That is where Ogun West factor comes to play. For now Omoba Segun Adewale and Hon Akinlade are the two aspirants from Ogun West on the platform of PDP. Gboyega Isiaka might comes in no time though. Its highly expedient, important and strategic for the PDP to settle for her candidate from Ogun West because that would guarantee bulk votes since the area has not been able to produce the Governor of the state up till today. That will also assuage the feeling of being classified as a second class citizen in their own state. There is high tendency that the people of the zone will support a good candidate from the area. Omoba Segun Adewale might be a good personality but he has not been tested politically and electoral wise. The PDP cannot afford to gamble with the political tidal wave going on in the South west. It could be disastrous at the end of the day. For now he is a green horn politically and this is not the right time for 'test running' if the party really desirous of winning the governorship. The Ogun West formula for PDP can only result to electoral victory when complimented with a strong personality with good prospect and electoral asset that commands a large chunk of the votes respect.

This is where Hon Akinlade comes handy. His is not a political neophyte. Hon Akinlade has a winning mentality and victorious antecedents.; having been to the polls on three different occasions and winning all. Among all the aspirants on the platform of the PDP, he look to be the best prepared with his "New Pact" Policy Thrust flying around. Truthfully, one can count Hon Akinlade's faults, multiply his mistakes, treble his errors as a human being but when matched against his abilities, good intentions and deeds, relentless and fierce struggle to put his constituency nay Ogun State on a straight and solid footing, vigorous and superlative achievement in his present office as a member of House Of Representatives, the net verdict will surely be inescapable - that he Akinlade is the most outstanding of all the aspirants. He has a good democratic credentials, his outstanding vision has been demonstrated overtime, he is sagacious and beacon of hope for the youths. He has remained constant like the Northern Stars, particularly among his cult like followers across the state. He also understand the psyche of Governor Amosun better having aspire along with him in 2011.

From all these, the PDP/ Akinlade ticket with a running mate of great clout look formidable to dislodge Amosun from government house. There is no way with his present popularity ranting that Akinlade will not deliver up to 60 percent votes, to be modest from Ogun West for the PDP. If all the political bigwigs in Ogun PDP like Prince Buruuji Kasamu, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Matins Kuye, Lekan Mustapha and the rest can work together and Akinlade as the candidate being the primus inter pares among all the aspirants, then Governor Amosun can begin to prepare his handover note without delay. This is my candid observation, analysis and winning formula for the PDP in Ogun State. I however stands to be corrected by any objective and superior analysis or observation!

Tunde Olusegun writes from Ota