Barring any last minutes’ change of mind, one of Abiodun Awoleye, Lanre Sarumi and Kazeem Adeniyi Adeyinka will fly the flag of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in next year’s bye-election in Ibadan North federal constituency, OYOINSIGHT.COM can authoritatively report.
The seat had become vacant following the death of Musiliudeen Olaide Akinremi of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who was in his first year of a second consecutive term in the green chambers.
Though the ruling PDP has many aspirants jostling for the ticket, sources close to the leadership of the party as well as the minders of ‘Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State, said one of the trio would be considered. They however, did not tell this newspaper, whether the candidate will be selected or elected at a primaries.
OYOINSIGHT.COM understands that Awoleye first came into political limelight in 2007 when he was elected as a representative of Ibadan North 1 in the Oyo State House of Assembly. He had enjoyed the influence of late Abiola Ajimobi, governorship candidate of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, who won majority of Ibadan’s 11 local government areas in the poll. Based on his sterling performance, he was elected as lawmaker representing the federal constituency in 2011 and 2015 under the Action Congress, AC and APC respectively. He contested for a third term in 2019 under Accord but lost to late Akinremi of the APC. He could not make it to the 2023 poll as he came third in keenly contested primaries won by Sarumi, with Seun Olufade, now executive chairman of the council area coming second. During Makinde’s first and current term, Awoleye chairs the Oyo State Primary Health Board. He recently concluded his task as caretaker chairman of PDP in Ogun State.
Bibire as Adeyinka is known, had unsuccessfully, contested to represent the federal constituency. Under Accord in 2011 and 2015 and Zenith Labour Party, ZLP, he lost to Awoleye and late Akinremi respectively. During Makinde’s first term, he was special adviser on local government and chieftaincy matters. He hasn’t been considered for any other assignment as at now.
Sarumi, popularly known as Skido, is a son of a late former representative of the federal constituency, Tayo Sarumi who represented between 2003 and 2007. His uncle, Alli Balogun Sarumi, was in the same chamber between 1999 and 2003. Saheed Akinade-Fijabi, representative of the Ibadan North West/South West federal constituency between 2011 and 2019 under the APC, is Skido’s brother in-law. Skido was the candidate of the PDP in the 2023 election but lost to late Akinremi.
Of the trio, Awoleye is said to be favored because of his experience, popularity and afraid of the APC’s plan to retain the seat.
