Is Ashipa not one of the OVER-BLOATED leaders the governor referred to in the Dr. Saka Balogun Report?
“Nje oja Ashipa to oye to npe” ?
I promised to respond to the query above this morning. Enjoy the read.
Historically, I joined Oyo state politics late, around the PSP era during the days of Baba Busari RAJI Alekuso. Before then I had served the UPN national Hqtrs in Lagos and later seconded to the old Kwara state to coordinate the Ilorin North East Constituency for Governor C. O. Adebayo ’83.
Meaning my relevance in politics “don tey”.
Around early’ 90s, I was the main Coordinator for the emergence of Chief Mrs Therasa Arike Adegebo as the Ibàdàn North SDP Chairmanship Candidate. Adegebo (Mrs) defeated Barrister John Fadeyi, the Molete candidate of Baba Adedibu. Wasn’t that another accolade! Though, the SDP later lost the election mysteriously (a sellout) to Barr Sharafadeen Alli of the NRC.
In the Alliance For Democracy AD, I opposed the candidature of any non Ibadan indegene, Late ‘Bayo Beckley inclusive, to serve as Chairman, Ibadan North. Hon Pastor Odeajo is a living witness. When the heat was tough, I was invited to Ijebu-Igbo, the home of late Pa Adesanya. There I was appeased to cooperate with the choice of the party leaders. If Ashipa was OVER-BLOATED politically, who would care to listen to his voice.
In the Oyo state PDP, Hon. Demola Kamil Omotosho was as green and fresh in politics as cucumber in the garden. I led, as main Coordinator and Strategist, for his emergence as Ibadan North pdp chairmanship candidate against political notables as Hon Tayo Sarumi, Hon Wasii Emiola, Hon Kamil Adegoke Omotosho Adabale and others. To God be the Glory, Demola Omotosho served as a two term Chairman. What then is the definition of political greatness! Additionally, no one would deny my imput at Igbeti 2002 before Senator Ladoja was convinced to nominate Hon Sarumi as pdp candidate for the Ibadan North federal constituency. I stand to be controverted.
After the poor showing of the Oyo state pdp at the 2015 election, the party was at her lowest low. And at the demise of late Kehinde Salawu, the PRO, I was appointed, albeit unopposed, to serve as the Oyo state Publicity Secretary. Though, I had no interest in the office, but served out of respect for the voices of major leaders of the party then. Was that OVER-BLOATED? The Borokini of Iseyin, Hon Yinka Taiwo, is still very much around to counter my assertion.
Around December 2017, I decamped into the Oyo State APC with my leader, Senator Teslim Kolawole Folarin. We all knew how jealously the APC used to guide her internal congresses. Against all their campaign of calumny as a new commer, I ensured, though had to bulldoze my way as a veteran, I won both Ward and lga party excos for the TKF, Ibadan North, supporters. Kazeem Oyekan and Olasunkanmi Okunola are living witnesses. Political relevance in a strange land! Ko bah kaba?
At the Oyo State APC 2018 primaries, the then governor of the state, late Abiola Ajimobi, dictated majority of the candidates that emerged including Hon Saheed Shina Aderounmu for Ibadan North federal constituency. A delegation of Apc leaders from Ibadan North visited Senator Abiola Ajimobi at the Government House for a different purpose. I single handedly seized the opportunity of the visit to convince Ajimobi to replace Aderounmu with Prince Musiliu Olaide Akinremi Jagaban. May his soul Rest In Peace, Ajimobi saw reasons in my submission and promptly acceded to my request. And the replacement was effected.
OVER-BLOATED?
I never thought it a moment to leave the APC for the PDP. I was loved by who is who for being politically transparent and forthright. I didn’t seek Seyi Makinde: rather, Egnr Seyi Makinde sought and routed for me. According to Makinde, “seven names were recommended to him but he only had interest in my person”. After the fourth invitation, I agreed to meet with the Oyo state PDP guber candidate. Engr Makinde, at the meeting he wanted me to decamp within 48 hours and he was ready to foot all the pumps and bills. I declined the public show as a waste. The fund should rather be reserved for the election proper. I narrated how Prince Akinremi Jagaban was nominated and that it would be a disservice on my part to abandon the APC party and her candidate at that moment. I promised to resign my membership of the APC on the night of the 2019 federal elections. To God be the Glory and against the Makinde’s permutation, Jagaban Akinremi won. And I resigned as promised to join the election management of Makinde for Governor with no condition attached and with no palm greased. The rest is history.
Possibly in recognition of my political heights and contribution, the governor of Oyo state, His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, surprised me with a phone call on a Friday afternoon. “Great Ashipa, brother mi, who would you want to nominate for the Caretaker Chairmanship for Aare Latosa LCDA”, the governor demanded. I was a little taken aback but promptly appreciated him with a promise to get back in 5 minutes. “Kindly send your choiced name to me ASAP but today”, His Excellency concluded.
Without being immodest, I make bold to state here that I single handedly nominated and recommended the name Hon Kazeem Oshoniyi as Caretaker Chairman, Aare Latosa LCDA, to His Excellency. Even, I never consulted Oshoniyi till his nomination was confirmed by the OYHA. To the Glory of Allah, Oshoniyi is one of the best performing Caretaker Chairmen today.
Be judgemental if I am OVER-BLOATED or OVER-COMPETENT.
Thanks.
Ashipa writes from Ikeja, Lagos State.
