The personal aides, confidants, and closest supporters of the late lawmaker representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Prince Musiliu Olaide Akinremi (Jagaban), have announced their withdrawal from all campaign activities of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the forthcoming bye-election scheduled for August 16, 2025.
Operating under the umbrella of the Akinremi Think Tank, the group said its decision to abstain from the bye-election process was informed by what it described as “disappointing dispositions, unprovoked hatred, outrageous labelling, overbearing toxicity, and continuous verbal attacks” from some leaders and members of the Ibadan North APC, as well as certain figures within the Oyo State APC executive.
The statement was jointly signed by Mr Micheal Adegbuyi, Media Aide to late Hon. Olaide Akinremi, Mr Azeez Shittu, P.A to late Hon. Akinremi, Mr Adedamola Layade, Mr Muhammed Makinde, Mrs Kudirat Adebayo, Mr Aliu Jubril, Mrs Mariam Alao and Mr AbdulMumeen Olaniyan.
According to a statement issued by the group, the hostile atmosphere within the party since the passing of Hon. Akinremi in July 2024 has left them with no option but to step aside.
“It is deeply concerning and disappointing that the Ibadan North APC is now a party characterized by threats, intimidation, violence, attacks, assaults, and inhumane approaches. It is now a platform without respect or regard for human feelings, emotions, and sanctity, but only political interests and end goals”. The statement read.
They claimed that their late principal, Hon. Akinremi Jagaban, never stood for such, as he was a man who played his politics by extending love and friendship to everyone.
The group further alleged that its members have faced direct physical assaults, harassment, and threats to their lives and families, citing a specific incident on July 14, 2025, the aides claimed that the late lawmaker’s former Personal Assistant was physically attacked during a meeting of the Akinremi Legacy Forum, allegedly by thugs sponsored from within the Ibadan North APC.
“Sadly, we have recently had to come to terms with unbelievable direct physical assaults, every time trailings, threats of bodily harm to us and to our families. These are way out of line approaches that our late principal, Hon. Olaide Akinremi Jagaban, was never known for, and didn’t stand for, as he was a man who played his own politics by extending hands of love and friendship to everyone.
“Specifically, on Monday, 14th July 2025, one of us, who was the Personal Assistant to the late Hon. Olaide Akinremi, was physically assaulted at our general Akinremi Legacy Forum meeting by sponsored thugs within the Ibadan North APC, with others also directly threatened by the same set of people on that same day and till this present moment.
“Let us be clear, we have chosen to rise above the trauma of that day. We have forgiven, but we will not forget. And more importantly, we will not pretend that nothing happened or that such behavior can be swept under the carpet for the sake of political expediency.
Concluding their position, the Akinremi Think Tank stressed that their withdrawal from campaign activities was necessary for their “peace of mind and personal safety.”
