After the governorship contest, the race for who represents Oyo south from 2023 seems to be tough. Apart from having the largest concentration of registered voters, any party that wins the senatorial district stands a chance of determining the voting pattern during the governorship contest. OYOINSIGHT.COM’s Sikiru Akinola examines the aspirants in the two major political parties — Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and All Progressives Congress.
Kola Balogun: He is the youngest of the siblings of Ọba Mohood Olalekan Balogun, newly installed Olubadan of Ibadan. In 2019, he got the ticket by luck, after Seyi Makinde, who would later defeat Adebayo Adelabu of the APC to become governor, held in trust for many days. Sharafadeen Alli, and later Adesoji Akanbi, then incumbent, were said to have been persuaded to fly the ticket but rejected it. Alli and Akanbi later contested for governorship and senatorial seats under Zenith Labour Party, ZLP and African Democratic Congress, ADC and both lost.
Balogun, late former governor Adebayo Alao-Akala’s two-term commissioner, would later defeat late former governor Abiola Ajimobi in 8 out of the 9 local government areas in the senatorial district in the 2019 election. But many political commentators believe he wasn’t voted but that people rejected Ajimobi. Despite APC’s winning 9 out of 14 reps seats and 2 out of 3 senatorial seats, Ajimobi’s loss of Oyo south was what PDP needed to oust Oyo APC in 2019 polls.
If he gets his party ticket for 2023 contest, he will, for the first time, be facing a real contest, they say. Many, however, believe that Makinde is not looking his side. The governor, they opined, is waiting for fallout in the APC and lure one of the many governorship aspirants with the ticket and a promise of succession in 2027.
Balogun is, however, a vocal voice in the chamber despite being in the minority PDP.
Remi Oseni: Though his known party is PDP, he is said to be perfecting his ways into the APC. The Ido-born politician is a successful businessman.
Adesoji Akanbi: He was senator between 2015 and 2019. The Ibadan-born politician, who had a brief stint in the house of representatives, lost his re-election under ADC. He had left the APC when it was obvious Ajimobi was going to contest the seat. He’s warming up to stage a return to the red chamber.
Bimbo Adekanmbi: The young politician was deputy chief of staff and former finance commissioner under the administration of late Ajimobi. He is one of the politicians to look out for as far as the 2023 senatorial election is concerned.
Sharafadeen Alli: A veteran politician of note, he was council chairman, secretary to the state government, chief of staff to a governor and O’dua chairman. He was the governorship candidate of the ZLP in the 2019 election. He rejected a blank senatorial ticket offered to him by Makinde in the last election. He is one of the best bet for the APC as he is grassroots politician and mobilizer.
Fola Akinosun: The educationist has not been lucky in politics. If the APC considers him for the task, he may not be a push over.
Olusola Ayandele: If he makes it, he is going to be the first Ibarapaman to be given the ticket of a major party for Oyo south senatorial district. Between 1999 and 2003, his kinsman from Eruwa, Peter Adeyemo was senator on the platform of the defunct Alliance for Democracy, AD. Born in Idere, Ayandele has built friendship in the 6 Ibadan local government areas.
Kolapo Kola-Daisi: The son of industrialist and Basorun of Ibadanland, Chief Kola Daisi, is treasurer of Heritage Bank. He is husband to Ajimobi’s first daughter and his eldest brother, Biodun, is one of the Ibadan high chiefs. He has started consultation since last year.
Musliudeen Akinremi: Little was known about him before he became reps member. He is a member of the APC CECPC. He is said to be nursing ambition to represent Oyo south from Ibadan North.
Saheed Akinade-Fijabi: The son of an Ibadan senior chief was in the house of representatives between 2011 and 2019.
Nureni Adeniran: The former council chairman is currently the chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board. He is inspiring to contest the seat on the platform of the PDP.
