Not less than 10 members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from the 4 local government areas of Oyo town are lobbying to replace deceased environment commissioner, Hon. Kehinde Ayoola.
This is coming 25 days after Ayoola, a former speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, OYHA, died during a brief illness. Ayoola, OYOINSIGHT.COM recalls, died on May 14 and was buried May 28, 2020.
Names of former speaker of OYHA, Hon. Atilola Maroof Olawale; Hon. Eesuola Ahammed Babatunde, who represented Atiba state constituency between 2003 and 2007; Hon. Oluwole Mathew Akanbi; Hon. Liasu Alawode Adebamiji; Hon. Segun Taiwo, who represented Oyo federal constituency between 1999 and 2003 as well as Prince Adeyemi Fatai Adebayo, who was the party’s candidate in the 2019 federal constituency election are being put forward.
Another person who is also interested, according to impeccable sources, is Hon. Wale Ogunmola. The former council boss is currently the special assistant to the governor in Oyo federal constituency.
A group within the PDP, Oyo PDP Elders’ Forum, is in the forefront of making a case for one of them to replace Ayoola.
This newspaper learnt that they have the backing of the chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Council, GAC, Sen. Hosea Ayoola Agboola.
The group led by Elder E.O. Oluokun, in a letter to Makinde, noted that their appeal is not mandatory but consolatory.
In the letter, which was jointly signed by Elder E.O Oluokun, a former PDP chairman in Oyo East; Alh. Isiaka. Adebayo, a former PDP chairman in Oyo West; Alh. Ayo Alade from Atiba and ex-Oyo LG boss; Alh. Amusat Adebiyi, a former PDP chairman in AFIJIO; Alh. (Hon.) Fatai Okunlola Obabi, current caretaker chairman of Oyo South West LCDA; Alh. Basiru Adeleke, a former PDP chairman in Oyo East; Alhaja Fatimo Adebisi, an ex-supervisory councilor in Atiba and Mr. Olalere Adelakun, a PDP stakeholder in AFIJIO, the group also congratulated the governor on the occasion of his first year in office anniversary and commended him for his commitment and dedication to achieve greater in the state.
“We once again commiserate with you over the lost of our beloved son Rt. (Hon) Kehinde Ayoola, who was until his death, your commissioner for environment. His death is still a mystery and irreplaceable lost to you and all of us. May Almighty God comfort his family, every one of us and Oyo State. May his gentle soul rest in peace,” the letter read.
“We, the above named group under the leadership of Elder E.O Oluokun, wish to passionately appeal to you to be magnanimous with us whence considering the replacement of late Kehinde Ayoola in your cabinet, by choosing one among our numerous sons and daughters whom are qualified to replace their lost brother.
“This request is not mandatory but consolatory. Kehinde’s death was very painful in so many ramifications but most painful politically, therefore you could heal our wound by replacing him from our zone (Oyo Federal Constituency).
“The zone is blessed with many qualified seasoned politicians within your camp amongst who are; Hon. Atilola Maroof. Olawale, Hon. Eesuola Ahammed Babatunde, Hon. Oluwole Mathew Akanbi, Hon.Liasu Alawode Adebamiji, Hon. Segun Taiwo, Hon. Adeyemi Fatai Adebayo, and many more,” the group added in the letter.
