Oyo State News

Tag: Teslim Folarin

  • Teslim Folarin Congratulates Seyi Makinde, Appreciates Oyo State Voters

    Teslim Folarin Congratulates Seyi Makinde, Appreciates Oyo State Voters

    All Glories and Adorations are due to Almighty God for His Grace and for preserving our lives throughout the 2023 electioneering process.

    I would like to express my sincere appreciations to Oyo State electorates for their support for all APC candidates on February 25th and March 18th elections respectively. May God Bless you all.

    To whom much is given, much is expected. It is on this note that I am offering my solemn gratitude to leaders and members of our great party – APC; the coalition parties, candidates of other political parties that worked for us, volunteers, the press as well as individuals that contributed to the Itesiwaju Ipinle Oyo 2023 project.

    Furthermore, I give kudos to members of 2023 Oyo State APC Presidential and Governorship Campaign Council for the best-ever issue-based campaigns. Thank you for your absolute loyalty, dedication and commitment to the struggle.

    I also laud the overwhelming support from my friends and political allies across the country. Thanks for being there always.

    To our teeming party members and support groups, I appeal to you to remain calm as we study the results of the just concluded Governorship and House of Assembly elections held on Saturday, March 18th 2023.

    It is God that Gives Power and Takes Power! May Oyo State and our people continue to prosper.

    In conclusion, in line with the official pronouncement of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), I hereby congratulate Engr. Seyi Makinde. Long live Oyo State! Long live APC!!

    Yours in Selfless Service to Oyo State,

    Senator Teslim Kolawole Folarin, OFR
    [2023 Oyo State APC Governorship Candidate]

  • Teslim Folarin Lacks Integrity, Sold Contracts Meant for Oyo Residents — Arapaja

    Teslim Folarin Lacks Integrity, Sold Contracts Meant for Oyo Residents — Arapaja

    The Deputy National Chairman (Southwest) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Taofeeq Arapaja has maintained that the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Teslim Folarin lacks all integrity to contest for the governorship position in Oyo State.

    Arapaja, who made this known in an interview with Abolade Salami on “Dende Oro” a political talk show on Fresh FM, noted that Senator Folarin while he was a senate leader never had a constituency office where he attends to his constituents.

    He added that most contracts and appointments allocated to indigenes of Oyo Central, are being sold for personal gains.

    Arapaja during the show, described Folarin as a selfish politician who is desperately aggressive when it comes to amassing wealth.

    “When he (Folarin) was in the senate, he had no consistency office, even as a Senate Leader. We know he sells contracts, he sells out appointments meant for the good people of Oyo State.

    “He lacks all integrity to contest and these are the enemies of Oyo progress who are camping against Makinde. Everything meant for Oyo State citizens are used for personal wealth. He’s so desperate about money, he can give anything for money. He is so selfish.

    “We were all political sons of Adedibu. I was a Federal Representative member and he was a Senator, he never want to see anybody around him grow. There was a time he went to tell Baba bad about me to discredit me, I wonder who is superior to me, despite getting there before me, will look for my downfall.

    “All of the conspirators planning against Makinde, and camping tent with Folarin especially those who were with Adedibu never had a good relationship with him,” he added.

  • Facts against Mischiefs By Politicians Masquerading as Muslim Leaders Against GSM

    Facts against Mischiefs By Politicians Masquerading as Muslim Leaders Against GSM

    It should baffle any Conscious Muslims when those we have always seen as Models and leaders descend in the ring armed with lies and rumor to achieve a political point. The noise against GSM on religion matters will fail because it is not a fight for Muslims but selfish interest of a few individuals who felt their livelihood is treathened at the expense of generality of Muslims. This same state Chief Abdulwaheed Adebayo Adelabu was supported by Leadership of Oyo state Muslim Community as APC Candidate against PDP Candidate, GSM in 2019 . GSM with Permission and Blessing of almighty Allah won unprecedentedly. Prelude to 2023 Governorship Election, Chief Bayo Adelabu is still a Muslim but on the platform of Accord Party.

    However, Senator Teslim Folarin is now the Candidate of APC. Our brothers have left Chief Bayo Adelabu for Sen Folarin. Has Bayo Adelabu ceased to be Muslim? People should asked why they dumped Adelabu for Folarin. Do they really fight for Islam? The answer is NO.

    I wish to provide Facts on Mischiefs they designed to hoodwink unsuspecting Muslims with responses to 11 reasons not to vote for GSM by Prof Olaiya and other related matters.

    1) On Political differences Between GSM and our Father High Chief Rashidi Ladoja. No human Either Gov or any political office holder dead or alive has been good to our revered Leader, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja as GSM. He Named most Important and costliest Infrastructures in the state after High Chief Ladoja. The Circular Road around Ibadan worth hundreds of Billions and a Highbrow GRA on Lagos Ibadan Expressway. GSM has never ceased to refer to him as His Father. Mentioning Some Politicians who have political differences with Makinde and claimed it was because they were Muslims indicates mischief on the part of the writer because the like of Elder Wole Oyelese, Engr Femi Babalola and Hon Abioye just to mention a few who are Christians who also have political differences with GSM were not mentioned. This is nothing but mischief. ,Today, Otunba Iyiola Omisore is APC National Secretary with Asiwaju Tinubu as President-elect. Let’s leave Politics for Politicians.

    2)On Calling Deputy Governor a Non-Muslim . it is against the strong Hadith and Sharia that when a Man says he is a Muslim Noone has the right to say He is not. The new Deputy Gov, Bar AbdulRaheem Bayo Lawal has said it repeatedly that he is a Muslim And Alhaji Kunle Sanni Confirmed Bar Lawal is a Muslim at 2022 Hijrah day celebration at Liberty Stadium that he has known Deputy Governor for almost 40 years. He has Mosque in his House. Takulaha.

    3)On Replacement of Senator Kola Balogun.
    The clamour by Party men and women that the Man has not performed to expectations denied The Senator the ticket for a second term. Meanwhile, did those who cried over his replacement thank GSM when He singlehandedly begged Chief Mikail Bayo Lawal to resigned as party Candidate after Chief Mikail Was elected as Senatorial Candidate in 2018 . Senator Kola Balogun also benefitted from Replacement as he was brought to PDP during coalition He was heavily financed to win the election by GSM. None of the people using this as a cheap political point thank Him for that benevolence till today. It was lack of support from the party men and women that denied Senator Kola Balogun the ticket not GSM. This is not new. Asiwaju listened to the cry of his party men and women and stopped Gov Ambode second term ambition.

    4) On being Insensitive to Religion Balance on appointments. This is most baseless and ridiculous lies ever told in the history of oyo state Politics. Not looking at the whole scope and just picking what soothes your mischievous Objective is against the tenets of Islam which the foundation is based on nothing but the Truth and the whole truth.
    There are 22 Cabinet members 11 apiece for Christians and Muslim respectively and on the Board of three Statutory Boards are headed by mostly Muslims.
    Civil service commission headed By Alhaji Aderibigbe, House of Assembly headed by Dr Abdu Wasii Daud, OYSIEC headed by Bar Isiak Olagunju, Judiciary Sevice Commission by the CJ and Audit Commission by Mr Okediji. In all these five, 3 are headed by Muslims while 2 are Christians. I need to point out that out of 33 LG Chairmen 23 are Muslims and 10 are Christians. Nobody has ever thank GSM for this. Suffice to say Accountant General of the state is a Strong Muslim.

    5)On Bringing Kolenda to Oyo state.
    Saying Pastor Kolenda was brought in by GSM is another baseless allegation. Does GSM issue visa. The Answer is no. Before GSM became Governor international Evangelists had been coming to Nigeria. Reinhard Bonke, Pope and others have all visited Nigeria before GSM became Governor. Did anyone thank GSM when Islamic Scholars visited Nigeria from Saudi Arabia to attend international Workshop for Islamic Scholars across the Country and GSM was the only Governor who gave them befitting reception in all Political Zones they visited in Nigeria. Dr Adebolu and Prof Wale Abass of University of Ibadan are witnesses.

    6) On Lawyers who died while waiting for promotions to the bench.
    We should desist from using the dead to play Politics. the harrowing incidents that GSM denied Muslim Justices opportunities until they died is pathetic. How can we assume human beings have power of life and death. It is shrik to say that . May Allah forgive us. Nobody likes that they died one after the other and GSM said of what benefit is it for him if they died. We will not dwell on the departed. May ALLAH SWT continue to shower his mercy on their respective families.

    7) On putting Bibilical Questions for Muslims to answer during Recruitment CBT.
    Consultant in Collaboration with TESCOM conducted the test. who they hired was not recommended by the Governor nor his office. The mistake was not deliberately designed against Muslims. CBT has a Question Bank where it automatically picks at random Questions each candidate will answer. Some Christians also answered Arabic. Merit is uphold here. Are they saying no Muslim was employed? the answer is NO.

    8) On Appointments of ES. Its glaring that they chose to mention this allegation because of names on Certificate or name submitted. This is misleading because in this government I have seen a Daud who is a Christian and A Juliana who is a Muslim. Among the ES a lady that was counted as Christian from Itesiwaju LG is an Ijabite and she was nominated by a Christian. It is Party Leaders across the state that nominated ES and they submitted to A strong Muslim who also Heads SUBEB, Dr Nureni Adeniran. There are more Opportunities given to Muslims at higher levels than Christians. The Commissioner for Education is A Muslim and SUBEB Chairman is a Muslim. Nobody mentioned that.

    9) On denying Muslim Maoulud Nabiy. This is far from truth. Maolud Nabiyi Is a National Holiday. Why would he not allow Maolud Nabiy.

    10) On Choosing Muslim Holiday for National Evaluation Exercise. This is National Evaluation Exercise and not restricted to Oyo state. It was intervention of the GSM that stopped the exercise for Muslims to enjoy the holiday.

    11) On Appointing CAN chairman as TESCOM Chairman. I do not know when Chief Akin Alamu an Aliance for Democracy state Chairman became CAN Chairman. What was complained about by Alhaji Kunle Sanni when Governor hosted Muslim Leaders during Ramadan Iftar was He wanted Mrs Oderinde removed as PS for TESCOM .Pronto Governor Granted it and replaced her with Dr Bashir Olanrewaju. This action of GSM was applauded Publicly by Alhaji Kunle Sanni at 2022 Hijra day. He said if he was appointed as PS Tescom he would not perform better than Dr Olanrewaju . He passed absolute confidence on Governor’s appointee.

    We want to appeal to our Muslim Brothers to desist from heating the polity and not destroy what binds us together. Islam is religion of Peace.It is important to also say that peddling lies and fiction to brainwash and hoodwink unsuspecting members of the Public is not the way to go. We should uphold the truth at anytime as Our noble Prophet enjoins us to say the truth no matter how bitter. Both Lagos and Ogun states Muslim Communities have endorsed Both Christian Governors for Second term. We have strong conviction that majority of Muslim across the state are behind GSM with their votes and Prayers.

    Ma sallam

    Concerned Muslims in Oyo state

  • Folarin and Zero Contribution to Islam in Oyo State By Kehinde Ayanboade

    Folarin and Zero Contribution to Islam in Oyo State By Kehinde Ayanboade

    Religious affiliation is attached to moralities. It is believed that whoever belongs to a certain religion, imbibes the teaching of the religious doctrine and acts in accordance. On the other side, it is believed that whoever doesn’t belong to a particular religious group (atheists) lacks moral etiquette. In Nigeria, you are expected to affiliate with a particular religion before you can be tagged as a responsible member of the society. Meanwhile, it generates controversies and questions when people who claim to belong to a personal religion can reckon something next to nothing.

    Three term Senator, Teslim Kolawole Folarin, who is the flag-bearer of the All Progressives Congress in the coming gubernatorial elections in Oyo State to everyone is a Muslim, and lately his camp has been hammering on his religious affiliation to win cheap points against the sitting Governor of the state, ‘Seyi Makinde who is a Christian.

    This camp has come up to emphasise that members of Makinde’s cabinet are majorly Christians adding that the governor has since the inception of his government, marginalised the Muslim community in Oyo State. This camp also added that the deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barr. Bayo Lawal is a Christian. All claims by this camp have however been fact-checked to be unfounded, misleading and politically framed. The viral claims however called for the subjection of the coming APC administration in Oyo State and how they have treated all religions (fairly or unfairly) in their dreamed administration.

    Firstly, it is pertinent to note that all senatorial candidates who eventually emerged in the February 25th Presidential/ National Assembly Elections are muslims. Former Secretary to the State Governor, Barr. Sarafadeen Alli who is to represent Oyo South Senatorial District is a Muslim, Hon Yunus Akintunde who will be representing Oyo Central Senatorial District is a Muslim and three term Senator Fatai Buhari, who will return as a Senator representing Oyo North is a muslim.

    Moreso, 6 of the 8 Federal House of Assembly Honourables who emerged in APC were all Muslims, in-fact, two of the two candidates of the All Progressives Congress in the two inconclusive Federal Representative elections were all Muslim. A matter that calls for questioning on if the All Progressives Congress and Teslim Folarin wants to Islamise Oyo State.

    Is Teslim Folarin a True Muslim? A Question By Oyo Muslim Voters!

    Checking into Senator Folarin’s acclaimed Islamic faith and contribution towards the development of Islamic religion in Oyo State, his scorecard will be scored nothing but zero. It can be concluded that the Muslim ummah in Oyo State has benefited more from non-muslims than Senator Folarin who is supposed to be their pillar of strength but has since been their weakness.

    Senator Folarin is a 3-term Senator representing Oyo Central senatorial district in the National Assembly. He is said to be living in highly luxurious and palatial homes equipped with imported equipment and facilities but never for once consider contributing anything to the religion he claimed to have affiliation with.

    Senator Folarin for once never deemed it fit to send at least one Muslim for lesser Hajj (umrah) talk-less of the holy Hajj pilgrimage. Not even a single soul, even if it is a co-politician.

    Senator Folarin never thought of dedicating at-least a 50 square metre land to build a mosque for fellow Muslims in Oyo State. These are remarkable achievements by meaningful people who are non–muslims who have been blessed by God and feel these are ways they can appreciate him.

    Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, when he was not nursing any ambition yet, commissioned the Omi tuntun mosque in 2013 and completed it in 2014. Makinde in his promise for Adogba Mosque promised to give a befitting and larger mosque before he finished his tenure. Makinde built a modern day Masjid for the people of Adogba Mosque, Iwo road with his ‘personal fund’ and this is the governor you want to vote out because he’s a Christian?

    Like the candidate of one other party who was never seen in a mosque until he began his gubernatorial political campaign….

    IS FOLARIN TRULY A MUSLIM OR A CAMOUFLAGE FOR POLITICAL FAVOUR?

    WHAT DOES FOLARIN HAVE WITH ISLAM THAN THE NAME TESLIM?

    IN WHAT WAY HAS FOLARIN PROVED HIMSELF TO BE A TRUE MUSLIM WHO DESERVES THE MUSLIM’s VOTE?

    The answers to these conscience–provoking questions are not far fetched, they are in your mind and should lead you to the poll next Saturday especially if you are one of those who are religiously fanatic and believe religion should be a reason for your voting choice.

  • Fact Checking APC Propaganda by Funke Oladayo

    Fact Checking APC Propaganda by Funke Oladayo

    In this piece, I fact check propaganda being circulated by the All Progressives Party (APC) in Oyo State under the heading “Oyo State has been sold out through unnecessary loans as Gov Seyi Makinde used plethora of phony contracts to siphon public funds”.

    Claim 1:

    Four Garages (Bus Terminals) were awarded to a single contractor, Planet Projects Ltd at a sum of N16b while extra N3b was later approved as the projects now cost N19b. A humongous amount of money had been wasted to prosecute a virtually non-significant project. Why would you be borrowing, to execute projects, such as Bus Terminals, and many others, that have no direct benefit to the citizens? Funds that can be deployed to create jobs for our youths; that can build many classrooms, etc.

    Fact Check: The claim that the bus terminals are a waste of resources and “virtually non-significant” is at best myopic and at worst, puerile. Apart from the fact that the bus terminals are modernising the transportation system in Ibadan, they are already generating funds for the government even though they are still underutilised. Once they are operating at full capacity, more jobs will be created and more money realised from the project. Oyo State needs to take advantage of its strategic location and tourism potentials and generate revenue from the transportation sector.

    Claim 2:

    Gov. Seyi Makinde approved another N6.1b to purchase 270 vehicles but only 169 vehicles were delivered instead with the N6.1b being approved. Where are the remaining 101 vehicles? 

    Fact Check: This is false. 

    Claim 3:

    Gov. Seyi Makinde approved Junction Improvement projects to be situated at U.I junction and Ibadan Civic Gentre/Gate, at N10.3b, awarded to the same contractor, (Planet Projects Ltd) which is yet to complete the Bus Terminals for which it has just recently been granted N3b variation.

    Fact Check: The Oyo State Government awarded Phase 2 of junction improvements at 3 Junctions: Agodi Gate, Idi Ape Civic Centre, and University of Ibadan Junctions awarded to Messrs Planet Projects Ltd at the sum of N10.3 billion. Planet Projects Ltd has already completed 2 of 4 bus terminals and executed junction improvements at Challenge/Felele Idi Odo which has been in use since 2021. The government also gave details of what the project would entail here.  

    Claim 4:

    Hey! Gov. Seyi Makinde has approved funds, running into billions of naira, at different times, merely to patch potholes, just potholes. At one particular time, N10 billion was approved to patch potholes, actual cost of which was far less than N1 billion. Another phony pipes through which Oyo State funds are being drained. 

    Fact Check: This is false. Because it is a completely made-upbeer parlour rumuour, there are no details. As an example of the sums spent on the rehabilitation of inner roads, in December 2022, the Oyo State Government approved the rehabilitation of 21 roads in all 5 zones of the state for N476,627,006.71 to be executed by OYSROMA through direct labour.

    Claim 5:

    Imagine! How do you explain a situation where Gov. Seyi Makinde is spending a whopping N1.2b to RENOVATE Oyo State Lodge in Abuja? What is the value of the whole property? Oyo State is really in deep sheet! 

    Fact Check: This is false. The Oyo State Government is constructing a Governor’s Lodge in Abuja not renovating it. 

    Claim 6:

    In Oct 2019, Gov. Makinde got N7.6 billion agricultural loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN.) For Akufo/Eruwa farm project. Yet, Akufo farm has been currently encroached, redundant and under-utilised, while the farm settlers have been disengaged, turning their contributions to the food security to a mere dream. 

    Fact Check: This is false. The N7.6 billion loan was actually obtained by the past administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi. Governor Seyi Makinde having prevented that administration from spending the money through a court order, applied for the loan to be used to develop the Akufo and Eruwa Farm Settlements into farm estates (now agribusiness industrial hub). The government has embarked on the construction of an agribusiness industrial hub at the Fasola Farm Settlement as a pilot before the construction of the agribusiness industrial hubs at Akufo and Eruwa. Fasola is over 80% complete with agribusinesses already operating from there. According to Governor Makinde, Eruwa will commence this year and Akufo will commence afterwards.

    Claim 7:

    Gov. Makinde got #20bn loan in May 20th 2020 from First Bank of Nigeria, to fund and support priority projects in the state. Where are those projects? Haba! 

    Fact Check: The Oyo State Government listed the projects as the 4 bus terminals in Ibadan and the 65 km Moniya-Iseyin Road reconstruction. 2 of the 4 bus terminals have been completed, are in use and are already generating funds for the state. The Moniya-Iseyin Road project was completed in May 2021 and is being utilised by residents of Oyo State. Journey times were cut from 2-3 hours to 45 minutes using the road. The benefits are unquantifiable.

    Claim 8:

    Gov Makinde took another loan in Oct 17th 2021 to the tune of #6bn claiming to use it to finance the existing projects in the State. You can see that Oyo State has been seriously mortgaged. 

    Fact Check: There are numerous projects being executed by the Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration at every point in time since he assumed office in 2019. A full list can be viewed here. 

    Claim 9:

    As if the above is not enough, the Oyo State House of Assembly, on 19th October, 2021. approved another N18,746,059,992.57 loan facility for Seyi Makinde. But why? What has been the result? He borrowed over N100 billions within his first two years in office and no concrete and beneficial result to show for it. 

    Fact Check: This is false. Having itemised the loans taken by Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration, the propagandist throws in that Governor Makinde borrowed over N100 billion within his first 2 years in office which is a completely made-up claim and totally false. According to figures from the Debt Management Office, Oyo State’s domestic debt increased by N60 billion since June 2019 while external debt reduced by ~$20 million. Again, a full list of projects executed by Governor Makinde’s administration between 2019 and 2023 can be viewed here.

    Claim 10:

    June 23rd, 2022, Seyi Makinde got another N2bn loan facility from the Fidelity Bank Plc at a concessional interest rate of 12 percent per annum and a repayment period of 12 months. 

    Fact Check: This loan was obtained to pay counterpart funding for Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES), Accelerating Nutrition Results Project in Nigeria (ANRiN), Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project (IUFMP), Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) and the UBEC/SUBEB 2021. All projects are at various stages of progress.

    Claim 11:

    23rd July 2019, Oyo State House of Assembly nod Seyi Makinde to obtain N10 billion from three commercial banks. Till date, nothing to show for it. 

    Fact Check: This is false. As stated above, there are numerous projects being executed by Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration. A full list can be viewed here. 

    Claim 12:

    N2.5 billion for the refurbishment of health infrastructure. What refurbishment have you noticed in our health centres? A big fraud! 

    Fact Check: This is false. It is very ridiculous to claim that there is no improvement in healthcare infrastructure in Oyo State. Over 200 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) have been renovated/constructed across Oyo State. The target by the government is at least 351, one in each ward of the state. Updates on some of these PHCs renovated can be viewed here, here, here and here. Also, secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities have been upgraded in the state. A full list can be viewed here.

    Claim 13:

    13. Agbowo shopping leased out at N4.9billion for 50 years. Projects is dead now. 

    Fact Check: This is true. The Agbowo Shopping Complex project was unsuccessful and Governor Seyi Makinde has already promised that the government will partner with a different set of investors to ensure that the project is done in his second term.

    Claim 14

    Fashola farm project, under the Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme (CACs). Now dead like other farm settlements. 

    Fact Check: This is totally false. As stated above, Fasola Agribusiness Industrial Hub is over 80% complete and 100% subscribed with big agribusinesses such as FreislandCampina WAMCO already operating from there.

    Claim 15:

    State roads wears out and look like a deserted village roads. Imagine! If Seyi Makinde can perpetrate all these evils in his first term, more havoc will be unleashed on the state if, God forbid, he gets second term. Seyi Makinde is using populis idea to deceive people. A green snake under green grass. He is the worst Governor ever. The fact check of an illusionary government of the Pace Setter State. Pls don’t be deceived again! #Enough is Enough# #Dont do opposition to the Federal Government again# # Vote Teslim Kolawole Folarin for Progress, Peace and Development#

    Fact Check: This is false. Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration has constructed, reconstructed and rehabilitated more roads (over 500 km) in Oyo State under 4 years than the previous APC administration was able to achieve (about 40 km) in 8 years. Imagine what Governor Makinde can achieve if given another 4 years. This is despite the ruling APC at the centre! What benefit accrued to Oyo State when in 2015-2019, Governor Ajimobi was in power with an APC Federal Government?

    The people of Oyo State are wise. No propaganda by APC will lure them into trusting APC with power in Oyo State. On March 18, 2023, the people will choose Governor Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) once again so they can enjoy Omituntun 2.0.

  • Oyo 2023: We Are Not Adopting Folarin as Our Guber Candidate, Shun the Rumours — AAC

    Oyo 2023: We Are Not Adopting Folarin as Our Guber Candidate, Shun the Rumours — AAC

    The Oyo State chapter of the African Action Congress (AAC) has denied adopting the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Teslim Folarin as its gubernatorial candidate in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

    The party stated that the African Action Congress is not in alliance with APC, despite the fact that the gubernatorial candidate of the party, Mr Mojeed Okedara has been expelled over anti-party activities.

    The party, in a statement by its Chairman, Comr. Kayode Babayomi on Wednesday, stated that the public shouldn’t pay attention to the rumours flying around about an alliance, as the party is not adopting any candidate for the election.

    The statement read: “The attention of the Oyo State Working Committee of the African Action Congress (AAC) has been drawn to a publication wherein one Rotimi Ogunlana is being described as a “pioneer chairman of AAC”, using such to negotiate and curry favours from the governorship candidate of the APC, Mr Teslim Folarin.

    “The party has no business with such character as he has been expelled a year ago by the state leadership over similar corrupt activities.

    “We wish to restate that the AAC is not a vehicle for anti-people negotiations or alliances.

    “We have not endorsed any individual or political party, despite the fact that the gubernatorial candidate of our party, Mr Mojeed Okedara has been expelled for anti-party activities. This is already a public knowledge,” he added.

    Babayomi further stated that the party will be contesting in the Governorship and Houses of Assembly elections.

    He, therefore, urged the people of Oyo State not to fall for who he described as fraudulent elements and their tactics of distraction.

    “We remain focused on the goal of liberation and we urge every eligible voter to vote in our candidates come Saturday, March 11th, 2023. The clarification is that the governorship ticket, just like other offices is sponsored by the party.

    “Our party is strictly guided by its constitution and ideology and will never compromise.

    “We wish to advise the panicky Teslim Folarin of the APC to go take back whatever inducement he has offered Ogunlana, because he has no electoral value”, he added.

  • Folarin Took Back His Transformer Because Electorates Didn’t Vote for Him — Makinde

    Folarin Took Back His Transformer Because Electorates Didn’t Vote for Him — Makinde

    There have been insinuations on the internet that the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the forthcoming election in Oyo State, Senator Teslim Folarin retrieved a transformer he gifted to the Sabo community in 2015, when the electorates failed to vote him in.

    In another news, it was said that Folarin ordered the parking of gravel and cement donated for a project, because he was defeated at the poll.

    In the meantime, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, ‘Seyi Makinde has on Wednesday reiterated this fact, adding that his priority to serve the people of Oyo State is second to none.

    Makinde, who spoke while fielding answers to questions asked during a TV programme on Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), Ibadan; narrated how he promised traders his campaign bus and fulfilled his promise, despite losing at the poll in 2015.

    “My brother Folarin had been in the Senate three terms, even as Senate Leader. He took his transformer back when they did not vote for him. In 2015, I told traders that the bus I used to campaign, I will give them. I gave it to them even though I lost.

    “The other day they even said during the Airport commissioning that he went to pack gravel from a road that he wanted to fix because he lost the election. So for us, it’s an opportunity to serve and we used it,” he added.

    The Governor recalled how he promised regular payment of salaries which he tagged “GSM DATE” and how he has successfully paid for 45 months with just 3 months remaining.

    “At my inauguration, I said there will be a GSM date. I didn’t even know what would be in the handover note because I hadn’t seen it. 45 months we have been paying. We only have 3 months to go and we have that solid. Under 2.0 we will take it to 96 months.

    “Our market men and women know that they will also get it because money circulates. At church, our civil servants pay tithe instead of begging for help. If they (the opposition) are saying it’s nothing, let them say what they have done when they were in government,” he added.

  • Folarin Just Wants to be Called His Excellency, He Has Zero Plans for Oyo State — Oyo PDP

    Folarin Just Wants to be Called His Excellency, He Has Zero Plans for Oyo State — Oyo PDP

    The Oyo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has berated the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the coming Saturday’s election, Senator Teslim Folarin over a statement credited to him in one of his recent radio programmes in Ibadan.

    Folarin had criticised Govenor ‘Seyi Makinde for establishing a Satellite Campus of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Iseyin area of Oke-ogun, with focus on Agricultural-based degree awarding programmes, describing the resources deployed to the institution in the area as a waste and misplaced priority.

    Reacting on behalf of the ruling party on Monday, the Publicity Secretary of PDP in Oyo State, Akeem Olatunji in a press statement, described Folarin’s statement as regrettable, shameful, reckless, and insensitive.

    Olatunji stated that the recent outburst credited to Folarin has further exposed his ulterior motives and hidden agenda for participating in the coming election, while advising the APC governorship candidate to wait till Ibadan state is created to become governor.

    He maintained that as a governor, the entire state regardless of his hatred for the people of Iseyin and Oke-ogun area, would become his state constituency.

    The PDP Spokesman in the state reminded Folarin that it was not enough to just boast around as a governorship candidate without having an idea of the demands of the job, stressing that Iseyin remains the food basket of Oyo State and deserves all the attention given to it by Governor ‘Seyi Makinde.

    Olatunji maintained that one of the best ways to develop an area on accelerated pace is to situate government institutions, particularly tertiary institutions of learning in such areas as they attract people who in turn attract commercial activities that usually culminates into improved economy.

    Olatunji wondered why Folarin has allowed himself and all the education he ever had blinded by his unbridled desperation to become governor at all cost, maintaining that Folarin was merely aspiring to become Governor of Ibadan State and must wait till such time arrives.

    He added that no serious politician would condescend so low in his political disposition as to derogate such a strategically important area as Iseyin.

    “It is very clear to even the deaf and the blind that the motivation fuelling Senator Teslim Folarin’s illusive political aspiration is the ‘His Excellency’ title attached to the name of the governor and has zero plan or agenda as how to govern a state.

    “Suffice to say Folarin is only being deluded by the thought that the office of the governor was a souvenir anyone could pick up on turn by turn basis.

    “It was even more worrisome that Oyo APC could not produce a single intellectually sound and economically savvy politician as opponent to race with Governor ‘Seyi Makinde.

    “No wonder Asiwaju Bola Tinubu (now president-elect) refused to either endorse or say a single word of support for his political aspiration.

    “Any serious politician in Oyo APC would understand the political tragedy that has bedeviled them by Folarin’s candidature.

    “A man who would refer to the food basket of Oyo State as an ordinary village undeserving of owning a university is a misfit for this race, and in the spirit of caution before the inevitable; election defeat happens on March 11, we advise Folarin to withdraw from this race and tender an unreserved apology to the industrious people of Iseyin with immediate effect.

    “Governor Makinde whose economic foresight intellectual sagacity has led to the creation of LAUTECH, Iseyin campus has made history and given the people of the area a lifelong legacy that will remain with them forever. Iseyin people are very industrious, hardworking and result oriented people deserving of all the attention they’re enjoying under the leadership of Governor Makinde.

    “We therefore, advise Folarin and his co-travelers to exercise patience in their political aspiration till Ibadan State is created since they’re only interested and concerned in governing Ibadan with disdainful disposition to other zones particularly Oke-ogun. Our people in Iseyin must adequately take it upon themselves to respond to this brazen insult on their collective sensibility by a man merely driven by an ordinary aspiration to be addressed as Mr Governor”, Olatunji stated.

  • You’re Religious Bigots, Makinde’s Tolerance is Incomparable — Oyo PDP Blasts Folarin, APC

    You’re Religious Bigots, Makinde’s Tolerance is Incomparable — Oyo PDP Blasts Folarin, APC

    Ahead of the March 11 Gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, has accused its All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart of religious bigotry for using Islam to politically blackmail incumbent governor, ‘Seyi Makinde.

    Similarly, the ruling party has further accused the APC and its governorship candidate in the coming Saturday’s election, Senator Teslim Folarin of sponsoring APC agents disguised as PDP members in public places in a wicked campaign of calumny against Governor Makinde, describing it as the height of political crudity.

    The Publicity Secretary of PDP in Oyo State, Akeem Olatunji who disclosed this in a press statement on Sunday on behalf of the ruling party, said that Makinde’s religious tolerance, liberalism, and balance are exceptional, adding that the recent political development emanating from Folarin’s APC has heightened apprehension about his level of desperation to become the governor at possible cost.

    Olatunji, who had earlier raised the alarm over the sustained attacks on the person of Governor ‘Seyi Makinde by the Oyo State chapter of APC, appealed to the Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Williams to prevail on Folarin to abide by the peace accord he signed as well as the electoral guidelines for political parties in order not to plunger Oyo State into a theatre of war on election day.

    The PDP Spokesman, while boasting of landslide victory for Makinde come March 11 reminded Oyo APC and Folarin that the ultimate power to choose who the next Oyo governor will be lies with the people who are the electorates, adding that instead of Oyo APC to busy itself selling its candidate to the people, the party is busy sponsoring political blackmail against Governor Makinde using Islam as a tool.

    Olatunji equally reminded Folarin and Oyo APC that hard facts remain in public domain that Governor ‘Seyi Makinde who is a Christian has benefitted the Islamic community in Oyo State, stressing that the opposition party is already condemned to contend with the people of Oyo State who have graciously adopted Makinde as their own political project ahead of March 11.

    Furthermore, Olatunji stressed that the ruling party has since uncovered a grand blackmail agenda by Oyo APC against Makinde by sponsoring divisive elements with little or no knowledge of Islam as a religion of love and peace to spread falsehood against Makinde in various mosques during prayer sessions, urging the people of the state to become wary APC’s new devilish antics.

    “Ordinarily, we would have continued to ignore this and remain focused on our grassroots mobilisation and house to house campaign for Governor Makinde’s reelection, but calls and messages from lovers of good governance within and outside the shores of Oyo State mandated it upon us to address this salient and very exigent issue of political blackmail by Oyo APC and its governorship candidate, Senator Teslim Folarin.

    “It is very important to remind the good people of Oyo State that even as the ruling party, we did our bit by encouraging Oyo APC and Folarin to embark on their political campaign when the window was very much opened in order to tell the world what they have to offer. It is also very germaine to state that they failed to campaign neither did they make themselves available at different political fora where governorship candidates were invited for engagements without any cogent reason.

    “At some point, both our party, the PDP and Governor ‘Seyi Makinde particularly spoke out publicly urging Folarin and Oyo APC to join the political campaign in order to present their offerings to the people but all these fell into deaf ears. Little did we know that their grand plan was to deploy different blackmails as political tools in order to sway unsuspecting members of the public on grounds of religious inclination.

    “It is public knowledge that the size of the Oyo State cabinet under the leadership of Governor Makinde and its composition with regards to collective inclusivity and religion is balanced. It is also public knowledge how Governor Makinde, a Christian, has totally committed himself to the overall welfare and wellbeing of all especially the Muslim community in the state.

    “Governor Makinde has singlehandedly sponsored the reconstruction of Adogba Central Mosque, construction of Omituntun Mosque, renovation of Oja ‘ba Central Mosque and many others and has provided brand new buses to Islamic scholars and clerics for adequate propagation of Islam across the length and breath of Oyo State, while also improving on their welfare and inclusive participation in state functions without any form of prejudice.

    “It is however, disheartening, sad, and unfortunate that at this age and time in the 21st century, an unpopular politician and candidate as Senator Teslim Folarin and his already rejected APC in Oyo State, would rely on cheap political blackmail using Islamic religion as a tool to advance their devilish course.

    “Ibadan and by extension Oyo State at large is like a community of interwoven Christian-Muslim families, where religious harmony has become one of our greatest hallmarks since time immemorial.

    “We’re particularly saddened as a party that the recent political blackmail going rounds across some mosques and religious gatherings in the state against Governor Makinde being a Christian and the purported need for Muslims to cast their votes on account of religious inclination is the worst in our collective political history and must not be allowed to stand by all.

    “We appeal to our people especially the Islamic community in the state to look critically into how far Governor Makinde has brought the state out of servitude and slavery which the APC plunged the state into for eight uninterrupted years. Our people must also look beyond parochial sentiments such as religion and see the competence, leadership, capacity, and political will to deliver on election promises because we cannot for any reason take such a very costly chance of trusting a murder suspect with our collective destiny in Oyo State,” Olatunji stated.

  • Problem Strikes Folarin’s Camp as Tinubu Support Groups Back Makinde’s Re-election Bid

    Problem Strikes Folarin’s Camp as Tinubu Support Groups Back Makinde’s Re-election Bid

    There seems to have been a major crack in the wall of the Oyo State All Progressives Congress (APC) following the endorsement of Governor ‘Seyi Makinde’s second term by some support groups of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the president-elect of the country.

    The groups which include Southern for Tinubu, BAT Democracy, Yoruba Campaign for BAT and Tinubu Campaign Movement on Saturday threw their weight behind the re-election bid of Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

    The groups, during their visit to the state’s deputy governor, Barr. Adebayo Lawal in his Bashorun residence, noted that their declaration of support for Makinde and his deputy was as a result of their outstanding performances.

    The National Coordinator of the group, Mr Adebayo Moronsole and the Public Relations Officer/Director of Strategy, Mr Emmanuel Adesanya in a joint statement said, “Governor ‘Seyi Makinde should continue in office for the improved life of the people of Oyo State; therefore, the Southwest for Bola Ahmed Tinubu coalition groups are pledging our support for him and his deputy.

    “The group has no fewer than 372, 000 members who have their Permanent Voter Cards.

    “Our grassroots mobilisers are now on a house-to-house campaign for the re-election of the governor.

    “We have enjoyed many good works by Makinde’s administration, including peace and security in the state.

    “We urge Oyo State citizens to support this administration’s re-election for the continuation of the good works,’’ the statement read.

    Responding, the deputy governor, Barr. Adebayo Lawal, who expressed his gratitude to the groups for their thoughtfulness and their readiness to work for the continuity of good works in the state, stressed that Governor ‘Seyi Makinde will remain one of the best governors the state has ever produced, owing to his unprecedented archievement in office.

    Barr. Lawal maintained that the state has recorded progress in its socio-economic development, which remains unbeatable among the southwest states.

    “I am saying this without any equivocation, Governor ‘Seyi Makinde is one of the best governors the state has ever produced.

    “He has transformed the state in his almost four years of governance from story to glory.

    “For the continuity of this great feat, he deserves to be given another chance to take the state to the land of prosperity,” Lawal stated.

    He, however, assured that under the Omituntun 2.0, more dividends of democracy will be brought to the people of the state for another four years.