2019 was an election year; its intrigues defined 2020. Ibadan, the political headquarters of Southwest was not short of political dramas in the just-ended year. From Governor Seyi Makinde, who is struggling to please everybody, to Raphael Afonja, the professor who received a sack letter the day he recovered from COVID-19, many politicians made the headlines.
While Senator Teslim Folarin won’t forgive the hoodlums who looted the ‘empowerment materials’ at his Oluyole residence, that video of Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, will continue to remain memorable in the mind of Oyo deputy governor, Engr. Aderemi Olaniyan.
In this report, OYOINSIGHT.COM Publisher, Sikiru Akinola, takes a look at 10 politicians who made the headlines in 2020.
Makinde Contracts Covid-19
Governor Seyi Makinde, on 31st March, 2020, announced that he had contracted coronavirus. This was few days after condemnations had trailed the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, rally at Mapo, despite the rising cases of Covid-19 at the time. He would later recover after just a week in isolation.
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Oyo Deputy Governor Vs. Florence Ajimobi
Governor Seyi Makinde’s deputy, Engr. Olaniyan did what many politicians would not do when, despite obvious provocation, he maintained his cool. Not minding his position as the second citizen in the state, he was provoked twice at the residence of late former governor Abiola Ajimobi.
A mourning former First Lady, Mrs, Florence Ajimobi, pointing at Olaniyan, had accused Makinde and “even Mr. Deputy Governor” of not calling her while the husband was ill.
During the 8th Fidau prayer, Olaniyan was prevented from accessing the venue. Rather than raise any eyebrow, Olaniyan left, instructing his security details not to do anything. The action earned Olaniyan commendations within and outside the state.
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Oyo Reps Odidiomo Becomes ‘Bouncer‘
On July 3rd, Rep. Adedeji Stanley Olajide, who represents Ibadan Southwest/Northwest constituency, allegedly pounced on and chased out journalists from a public hearing on COVID-19, held at the National Assembly complex.
The fracas began when the event was ongoing. A member of the ad hoc committee had observed that the meeting room was crowded and sought the permission of committee chair, Rep. Haruna Mshelia (APC-Borno) to cut the number of attendants.
But instead of preventing more people from entering the hall, the Odidiomo, as Olajide is called, instead, singled out journalists already in the hall, for eviction. Olajide allegedly ordered the sergeant-at-arms to drag out any guest or journalists who challenged his unruly behaviour, leading to a protest by the journalists at the venue.
While reacting, Odidiomo said that he holds journalists in high esteem, maintaining that considerations for the safety of everyone in attendance and the need to adhere with COVID-19 protocols of social distancing were the reasons behind the plea to a few journalists, aides of lawmakers and security details to leave the venue of the public hearing.
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After Returning From COVID-19 Treatment, Makinde Sacks Afonja
On August 10, 2020, few hours after returning from home, after coronavirus pandemic, has kept him away from work for over a month, Governor Seyi Makinde relieved his commissioner for works, Professor Raphael Afonja of his appointment.
Though the letter didn’t state Afonja’s ‘sin’, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun, said the termination takes immediate effect.
“I am to add that, your contribution within the time of your sojourn is appreciated and commendable, and therefore, wish you successes in your future endeavours. I thank you,” the letter stated.
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Buhari Empowers Constituents With 20 Cars, 270 Motorcycles, 100 Laptops…
On September 3rd, just like he has always been doing since he became senator in 2015, twenty monarchs and party leaders went home with 20 saloon cars while 270 motorcycles, 600 grinding machines, 250 sewing machines, 100 laptops, 80 deep freezers, 100 backpack sprayer and chemicals were distributed during the third edition of Sen. AbdulFatai Buhari’s empowerment programme.
At the event which held in Iseyin, other constituents went home with cash support of N20,000 for 100 widows; cash support of N20,000 for 100 elders and most vulnerable; N20,000 bursary for 100 students; N100,000 for 10 selected youths and N10,000,000 for selected communities.
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Makinde’s Wife Assumes Office As First Lady
Fifteen months after her husband was sworn-in, the wife of Oyo State governor, Engineer Tamunominini Olufunke Makinde finally ‘resumed’ office in September 2020.
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Peller Vs. Gbajabiamila
The lawmaker representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa federal constituency, Hon. Shinna Peller, on 20th October, 2020, revealed that the leadership of the House has not allowed him to speak at the plenary.
Being members of same ruling APC, one would have thought they would settle their differences in-house.
Peller, in a video that went viral, described this as an attempt to suppress the right of his constituents to express their opinion.
“As a HoR member, I represent the people of my Federal Constituency. Any time I stand up to speak, I do not speak for myself but for those I represent. I am their messenger. And nobody, not even the speaker @femigbaja and deputy @HonAhmedWase has the right to suppress their voices,” he has said.
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Hoodlums Dash Folarin’s Hope, Cart Away Empowerment Materials
On October 24, the Oluyole residence of the lawmaker representing Oyo Central Senatorial district, Senator Teslim Folarin was looted by hoodlums. The hoodlums carted away several new motorcycles in the home of the lawmaker.
The looting of the lawmaker’s home came on the heels of the looting of the home of various government officials and private businesses by hoodlums in various parts of the country.
Folarin, who stated that no fewer than 300 motorcycles, deep freezers, and food items, which were meant for the empowerment of his constituents, were looted, added that “They (the items) were meant for empowerment in December…”
It is not known when next the lawmaker would stage his empowerment.
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Sangodoyin: Manning 3rd Ministry In 19 Months
Prof. Daud Sangodoyin, unknown to many, was one of the closest to Governor Seyi Makinde. That Makinde talks about Botswana is because of Sangodoyin who was, before his appointment, a lecturer in the country. On December 15, 2020, he was redeployed to the ministry of public works from the ministry of establishment. Before his stint at establishment ministry, he has initially been assigned education ministry in the beginning of the administration.
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Olopoeyan Vs. Makinde
Ever since Makinde became governor, he has not been having it cool with a PDP leader, Alhaji AbdulRasheed Adebisi. Olopoeyan, as Adebisi is fondly called, was one of those who ensure Makinde returned to the PDP to contest the 2019 governorship election. He has, however, continued to accuse Makinde of neglect, after helping him to power.
Olopoeyan, who is gaining sympathy on daily basis, is one of those who are now opposed to Makinde becoming the leader of the PDP in the Southwest.
