By Akintunde Yusuf Akinloye
In the last three Mondays, a simplistic analysis, coupled with few observations were made on the trio of Sen. AbdulFatai Buhari, Prof. Adeolu Akande, and Sen. Teslim Folarin as we journeyed towards the 2023 election. Thanks to our dear readers for the love, and interest shown in reading up on some others across party, and beyond governorship aspirations. We will keep trying our best and digging them out as much as we can.
For anyone who knows the developmental history of Ibadan, certainly, the name ‘AGBAJE’ will not be strange to his/her hearing, and they will understand the political, economic, and legal history of the family. Talking about the industrialization of Ibadan in the colonial era, much credit will be accorded to him, Salami Agbaje, as he uses his wealth to transform the Ibadan economy by paving way for many ventures to spring up in the city. Thus, that makes Ibadan the center of many things as Nigeria moved on till this moment.
In the legal field, the family has a rich history and has grown-up-to-filled-up the legal unit of society. From Hon. Justice of the Supreme Court, A. G. O. Agbaje (CON), to Y. Ade Agbaje SAN, Olalekan Agbaje, Ademola Agbaje, and AKEEM AGBAJE.
On the march, AKEEM AGBAJE, a thoroughbred Ibadan man, and a man who has been living most of his life in the ancient city of Ibadan as a practicing lawyer and solicitor. A man who has in no situation hide his religiosity as a Muslim, and the show has demonstrated that his antecedent, Agbaje Dynasty, has done so much for Ibadan, Oyo State, and Nigeria as a whole in the area of upholding the laws of the land through many services rendering for the good people of the society, and has not been feeling entitled as a lineage of SALAMI AGBAJE La’yeye. He is a very gentle, refined, and simplistic man rare to find in the political space of our society.
What interest exactly tied him into politics? A nature like his has always been observed to do well in a technocratic area of governance, and not in the political gaming part of it. Maybe, now, many technocrats are joining and playing the politics, and one reason why he has also chosen to stay in it, play it, and see what result he will get at the end. But his very value-chain developmental ideas will not let him bow down the pursuance of the aspiration. Aspiration is what, as the Executive Governor of Oyo State. Truthfully, Oyo State has been lacking a focus-driven governor for several years, and thanks to late Gov. Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi, who conceived modernity in the governance of Oyo State, and as well want it to continue and have it going on and on. Then, how far are we in the area of moving the state forward beyond the archaic period it was known for? Who are those fitting into the shoe of advance moving the state beyond the present position, Oyo state is moving forward though, but should not we need to increase the tempo and speed of development from buildings of motor parks for ‘informal class’ to the setting up of a value-chain development from a widely and globally exposed men that the Oyo State All Progressive Congress (APC) are parading presently?
Not going far, Akeem Agbaje, is one of the notable and leading aspirants in Oyo APC. A global legal luminary, and power and gas exploration expert aside from the legal field he is operating primarily. He who places his belief in originality, as against the traditional known ways of doing things. His ideas and plans on education, health, infrastructure, agriculture, and economy are very superb and realistic. Have you had an audience with him before? Try to do it if you have not.
But as beautiful as those ideas are, they can only fly and come to reality if he gets the party ticket to contest in the Oyo APC he is plying his trade. How does he tend to play his political game amid warriors who are as well not joking with the ticket to represent the party as 2023 draws near? And many times, he has emphatically stated it clear that his contacts, stakeholders, strong base, and influencers will remain as discreet as he wants it to be. It is obvious, it is certain and, surely, those he is having are those others are as well having. That is the dynamics of the Nigerian political system presently.
A few times with him not long ago revealed that he is not joking, he is a visitor of bourdillon, if not a regular one, and he has those who have the ears of the Jagaban, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, himself, just like others. I am sure, Jagaban ears would have been filled already.
On a quick note, Jagaban will be so busy with his political survival, and may not be interested that much in the affairs of other aspirants. The political situation may even warrant him to be ‘falana gbo ti e, tara eni la’gbo’. And you know what, many might get sunk when that happens. That is not sending any message other than for all the aspirants to get on the field for their mobilization.
Still, Akeem Agbaje is very popular in Ibadan. He has his family name to get across some power brokers in the city. And from the eleven (11) local governments making up the geopolitical zones, findings revealed that he has his strong foot in nothing less than eight (8) of the local governments making up Ibadan. Maybe he will keep to maintain them or not, the attitude of other aspirants will speak again for his movement, but Ibadan North is his home, no doubt, you can check to verify.
In Oyo town, his influence is very symbolic. He has a good relationship with the palace of Alaafin of Oyo, and many other stakeholders who’s identity are not known.
Maybe I should state this, on that discreet supporters, I have questioned him on it and why he does not understand the danger in making his supporters discreet personalities rather than an open one. But he convincingly convinces me and many others on why. Still, the popular political song has said it all, “gbe jade, gbe sita, oselu e gbe kora, gbe oselu re jade o”
For Ibarapa, that place appears to be one of his strongholds in Oyo State as he has penetrated through some of his loyal people networking and selling his governorship aspiration. But that is not enough, and how does he plan to get the endorsement of more party leaders that will influence the decision of other party members in the Ibarapa geo-political zone more than he is present?
The Oke-Ogun is another strong and deciding geopolitical zone in Oyo state with ten (10) local governments, and not with only ten (10) local governments but the second-largest holder of voters in Oyo State, it follows Ibadan with more than 50% voters. There are so many opinion leaders and deciders of party direction in the zone, and hardly will you see Akeem Agbaje romancing openly with any of them, but does he have a confidential pact with them politically or what? Or how is he planning to capture the backing of those party leaders there, in having the ticket as the politics get thicken? Anyway, he is not a political learner, but a player and strategic one, and we await how he will do in the coming primary election towards 2023.
The Ogbomosho is not for him, he is trying to find a balance there, some sources have also alluded to the fact that, he has no contact person there, and he can only get to the heart of the Ogbomosho politics through the Otun of the source, Chief Adebayo Alao Akala and the influential former Sen. Hamzat Ayo Adeseun, and who happens to be his long time friend. Is he ready then to play the card with the duo and some others there? And do not forget that, Minister Sunday Dare and Sen. Fatai Buhari who is from that zone are warming up as well to grab the party ticket come 2023.
One thing that is unique about Akeem Agbaje is his calmness in the face of adversity, and that alone is making some to be respectfully fearing his political tactics, but will he strike at an unexpected time or what? The coming congresses will determine that, and the fate of the party relies on the successful organization of the party congresses.
For whatever reason, no one is not qualified to contest the guber ticket of the All Progressive Congress (APC) presently, it is an open contest.
Next Monday, Watch Out For Another Guber Aspirant……….
Akintunde Yusuf Akinloye writes from Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
