Any moment from now, Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State, will release the names of new commissioners.
Sources told OYOINSIGHT.COM that the governor is keeping everything to his chest. “So no one can ask when he wants to release the list of his would-be commissioners. As far as I know, he hasn’t asked anybody to bring their credentials. Though he has many of the CVs with him. He may forward it to the secretary to the state government, Kemi Olubamiwo after which it would be sent to the Oyo State House of Assembly.
Makinde, OYOINSIGHT.COM understands, had recently sacked his 17 commissioners and chief of staff, Bisi Ilaka. He has since replaced Ilaka with Segun Ogunwuyi.
Only yesterday, while featuring on a radio programme, Makinde’s mouthpiece, Taiwo Adisa, revealed that his principal was already working on the list of commissioners that will constitute the governor’s new cabinet.
“The governor is already working on the new commissioners and will make announcement any moment from now,” Adisa added.
The governor, OYOINSIGHT.COM further learnt, is considering bringing close to 5 new persons.
It was however, unsure, whether or not, he would ask aggrieved members ir his Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for nominations.
Sources also told OYOINSIGHT.COM that some of the commissioners to be reappointed may be drafted to man another ministries different from the previous ones.
1)‘Seun Ashamu: Lawyer and son of former Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, he has warmed himself into the mind of Makinde before they were relieved. He was commissioner for energy and natural resources. He is from Atiba local government.
2) Bayo Lawal: The oldest in the sacked cabinet, Makinde still works with him till date. He is from the governor’s Ibadan North East local government.
3)Rasaq Gbadegesin: A former deputy chief of staff in the administration of former governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, he is one of those who can assist the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogbomoso.
4)Oyewo Oyelowo: One of the governor’s men, he was commisioner for justice and attorney general in the first two years, he is likely going to be returned, especially as he is from Makinde’s alma mata- University of Lagos.
5) Rahman Abdulraheem: Though it is unsure whether or not his political mentor, Rashidi Ladoja has nominated him, Makinde May consider him. He was commissioner for lands, housing and urban development.
6)Bashir Bello: He was commissioner for health. He is one of the governor’s men too.
7) Daud Sangodoyin: One of Makinde’s closest persons, he coordinated Omi Titun Diaspora Initiative from Botswana where he was lecturing. In the first two years of Makinde, he served in three different ministries. He was commisioner for education, science and technology; establishment and later commissioner for public works, infrastructure and transport.
8) Taiwo Adisa: He is currently chief press secretary to the governor. He may be brought in to handle the information ministry.
9) Seun Fakorede: One of the governor’s personal nominees, he manned the youths and sports ministry in the first two years.
10) Niyi Farinto: The Ijio-born politician who was in charge of economic planning and budget, in the first two years, is a top PDP chieftain. He was at a point chairman of Iwajowa local government and later represented Iwajowa state constituency in the Oyo Assembly.
11) Akinola Ojo: The silent commissioner for finance in the first two years is likely to be returned. Unconfirmed sources confided in OYOINSIGHT.COM that he and the governor ‘discuss as and when due.’
12) Nìyí Adebisi: Godson and nominee of former secretary to the state government, Michael Koleoso, was commissioner for commerce in the first two years.
13: Kazeem Bolarinwa: The 31-year old is a first class graduate from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Bolarinwa, who is currently special assistant on youth and sports, combined waste management to his role, at a critical point.
This newspaper could, however, not confirm, as at the time of filing this report whether 7 of the previous commissioners would be reappointed or not.
The former commissioners are Wasiu Olatubosun, information and tourism; Funmilayo Orisadeyi, commisioner for special duties; Olasunkanmi Olaleye, education, science and technology; Muyiwa Ojekunle, agriculture; Siju Lawal, establishment; Idowu Oyeleke, environment and Fausat Sanni, women affairs.
