( contd).
Alao Akala (ADP) :
Popularly called ‘Oyato’ by his followers for his style of politics, the 69-year-old is the most experienced. He was the Governor of the state from 2007-2011 and would be contesting for the 3rd time. As regards the first two times, he won one and lost the other. One of the big politicians in that district is the current lawmaker from Akinleye/ Lagelu Federal Constituency, Olatoye Temitope Sugar. He is known to be a very sound grassroots’ politician. It is said that it was through the influence of this politician that Monsurat Sumonu won the elections in the district.
There are two places where Otunba Alao Akala might win landslide victories, Ogo-Oluwa and Surulere LGAs. Both LGAs are close to his base(Ogbomoso).
In 2015 he won in those places. He is the father of that region. The party is well known in the region and might shock people in that region. The problem they might face is from a few local governments in Oyo town (Atiba, Oyo East, Oyo West & Afijio). The party’s antecedence might work for or against Akala in the district. The people in Oluyole would never forget his road construction in their local government especially the Akala Expressway linking Oyo Central and South districts. He also worked on the construction of markets in the district.
Bayo Adelabu(APC): Widely known as “Penkenlenmesi”(the name he inherited from his grandfather, Adegoke Adelabu), the former CBN deputy governor is a First Class degree in Accounting from the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. He is a greenhorn in politics as he has no political antecedents like some other contestants. He is however a technocrat whose brilliance has proven worthy to be appointed to the post of a deputy governor (para). In Oyo Central District, a popular politician to watch out for is Teslim Folarin who is also the current senatorial flag bearer of the party. Folarin was the Senate Leader from 2007-2011. In places like Egbeda and Ona-Ara, the popularity of Lekan Alabi, a member of the party, might in the favour of Adelabu. The Alaafin of Oyo’s son, Prince Adeyemi, who is also a federal honourable might influence the grandson of the nationalist to win in Oyo town. Places that might be difficult for Adelabu to win in are Ogo-Oluwa, Surulere, Akinyele and Lagelu Local Governments due to the influence of the ADP’s duo, Olatoye Sugar and Alao Akala. A prominent member of PDP, Oyebisi Ilaka, is also from Oyo so Adelabu might face some difficulties in Oyo as well. The antecedence of current governor (Abiola Ajimobi) might work for or against him in the district. APC might not get the support they used to get in Oluyole because the current federal honourable representing the area is a member of the ADC.
Seyi Makinde (PDP): Omituntun as he is fondly called by market women, youths and civil servants, Makinde is a strong and vibrant politician in the state. He started his political career ten years ago.
In Oyo Central District, Seyi Makinde would get massive support in places like Oluyole , Oyo Town and Ona-Ara. This is very likely because of his intervention in the social development of the district. One of the prominent members of the party is Oloye Jumoke Akinjide. Akinjide, a former minister and special advisor, might deliver the hardcore of Ibadan to her party guber candidate. Makinde is an household name in Oluyole. He is also popular amongst the civil servants and youth of the local government.
Oyo Town’s inhabitants might vote for Seyi due to the influence of the Alaafin’s High Chief, Oyebisi Ilaka. In 2015, Oyebisi Ilaka won the four towns in Oyo during his senatorial bid before he lost to Monsurat Sumonu in Ibadan through the influence of Olatoye Sugar’s structure. Oyebisi Ilaka still dominates the political structure of four LGAs in Oyo, an advantage for Seyi.
Makinde’s antecedents in politics would speak for the businessman-turned-politician. Amidst other candidates, Makinde might be the only candidate that would have as many votes as Otunba Alao Akala in Surulere and Ogo-Oluwa Local Governments.
( Jeremiah Oluwaferanmi is a political analyst in Ekiti).
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