Rumbles in Oyo APC as Adelabu Returns -By Toheeb Babalola

As expected, prior to the last election I could vividly remember I told many people at different political discussions that the presence of Chief Adebayo Adelabu in Accord Party was a sojourn, and that he would surely return back to the main opposition party in the State, All Progressive Congress (APC). However, his arrival has raised an alarm at various quarters within the party.

One celebrated Yoruba adage says, “Agba To Ta Idi Mehin, Agbara Lo Lo Muwa (An elder that shifts backward comes with more power)” but in the case of Adelabu, do you think the adage is right? Let us delve into a story of the renowned revenue collector, Tanimola in Ileri-oluwa Kingdom.

Tanimola was brilliant, blessed with short height and weight. His shortness could be traced to his wealthy family-tree, and through the family influence in the Kingdom, he gained popularity which inevitably boomed his revenue-collection occupation.

Almost all the inhabitants of the Kingdom queued at his hut to save their daily profits with him. This business made Tanimola to be financially stable without depending on family. With his wealth and family influence, he decided to fight for a high-profile position in the Kingdom.

After making his ambition known to the residents, he gained more fame beyond being a revenue collector to the extent that the late King took him as a brother and showed him the staircase to his aspiration. Tanimola received the blessing of the people and suspended his business to focus on the highest stool in the Kingdom.

Despite his efforts, Tanimola lost the stool to his contender in two separate occasions and he faulted the Chiefs for the loopholes.  Yet, Tanimola was still eyeing the stool of the Kingdom. Did he apologise to the Chiefs? Was he later crowned? Who knows tomorrow? (Tanimola?)

In its grieving moment, the main opposition party in Oyo State, All Progressive Congress (APC) has lost its oneness and there is a probability for more depression. The broom has been untied and shared by each quarters in the party. Every member has queued and fallen into different factions which is at detriment of the party as whole.

To the best of my knowledge, the factions within APC are ‘Progressive Movement’ and ‘Teslim Folarin led Movement’. The progressive movement accommodates heavyweight chieftains and political legends who have been in politics for three decades such as Chief BAO, Chief Babalola among others. The movement also features former commissioners who had served under Ajumose government like Chief Lowo Obisesan.

The Teslim Folarin Movement houses the three time Senator’s loyalists and some unknown stakeholders within the party. Both movements have divided the party, shared members and held separate meetings across all local governments in the state.

The return of the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu has fueled the grievances within the party. The factions are murmuring and snooping around to fish out the quarters Adelabu would belong to. Nevertheless, the Progressive Movement has opened its doors to welcome the Minister.

Weeks ago, when Adelabu had a crash at the Ladoke Akintola International Airport in Ibadan which almost took his life, the Progressive Movement sent delegates led by the former Commissioner of Environment, Chief Lowo Obisesan to pay a courtesy visit and extend the concern of the movement to the Minister. With this, it is certain that Adelabu might eventually fall into Progressive Movement.

Presently, most of the APC candidates for the Local Government Election in 2024 are Teslim Folarin loyalists, the Progressive Movement does not allow its followers to purchase the party forms. The leaders in the progressive movement perceive that Senator Teslim Folarin would use his ‘Jagba style’ to install new structure in the party which might not be in their favour. Therefore, APC should be expecting another loss in 2024.

Adelabu, speaking on his return, stated that his recurrence in the party was influenced only by President Bola Tinubu and not by 2027 ambition. You all knew the fact that politicians will never go straight to the point in every situation, he talked as if the public was unwitting. But, I know Teslim Folarin and his loyalists have commenced strategizing to body-hit ahead of 2027.

2027 ought to be the best year for Adelabu because no candidate from the People Democratic Party (PDP) would stand tall and rub his ambition. Yet, he needs absolute support from all the Chieftains of his party including Teslim Folarin. With Tinubu’s authority at the top, Oyo APC will not recreate the 2023 scene in the forthcoming gubernatorial election.

Teslim Folarin has tasted the fruits of both parties without good results. It is also time for him to work diligently on his damaged image in the public domain, which is his main problem in Oyo State. For Tinubu to ignore him during the campaign, nothing sours more than that scenario.

If Adelabu swallowed his pride and settled things with Teslim Folarin, APC would reign again in the State. Without Unity, there is no progress. This is politics, everyone is important

For now, Adelabu is still the best candidate for Oyo State Governor after Seyi Makinde’s second term.

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