By Bisi Oladele
In this report, BISI OLADELE examines the factors and individuals that will shape the much-awaited 2011 governorship election in Oyo State.
Eight months from now, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would start the general elections for a new transition at the federal, state and local government levels according to the time-table released by the commission earlier in the year.
Unlike in previous times, the race for the governorship seat in Oyo State this time is rather slow, less exciting and beclouded with uncertainties.
This is not unconnected with the clamour for credible elections by interest groups and individuals which has become a major challenge for INEC, the demise of the master strategist, Chief Lamidi Adedibu and the seeming loss of cohesive power of bargaining among influential Ibadan politicians and elders.
The usual glamour, deep politicking and exciting political escapades that once characterized Oyo politics seem to have faded following the demise of Chief Adedibu and the emergence of the incumbent governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala who has been amaassing more power and breaking old blocs within the political landscape.
Though Governor Alao-Akala is yet to make an open declaration of his interest in second term, his aides and supporters have been drumming support for the bid which is well known to the people.
Curiously, with about eight months to the election, no political figure in state chapter of the ruling PDP seems to be confident enough to nurse or trumpet his ambition for the exalted seat.
Even across other parties, no other aspirant seems to come near the governor in terms of preparedness and political structure.
But the odds are many for the Ogbomoso-born politician who is the current PDP flagbearer though no one seems to be giving him a tough fight for the party’s flag within his party for now.
On the larger terrain, however, some astute politicians are itching to upstage him in the bid to occupy the Agodi Government House next year.
In the Action Congress (AC), the most vibrant opposition party in the state, seven aspirants are jostling for the governorship seat. They are, the former governorship candidate of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), Senator Abiola Ajimobi who is back on his natural turf; former Adviser to ex-Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu on Political Matters, Chief Femi Lanlehin; Professor Wole Akinboade; former Lagos Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Dr Bayo Adewusi; former Special Adviser to Governor Lam Adesina, Hon. Soji Akanbi; a legal practitioner, Mr Kazeem Adedeji and Prof. Wale Oyemakinde.
Of the seven, only Dr Adewusi hails from outside Ibadan. He is from Eruwa, a major town in Oyo South Senatorial District to which the party has zoned the governorship slot. Ibadan is also in the district.
Analysts believe that AC is the only party that can give PDP a good fight at the next election, if it can put its acts together.
In the ANPP, no aspirant has officially registered intention to vie for the exalted seat though The Nation reliably gathered that a brilliant young politician of Ibadan origin has reached advanced stage in completing the procedure of flying the party’s flag in the next year election.
Again, the posters of Mr Taiwo Ositelu of the Action Alliance (AA) are all over Ibadan, indicating his interest in the plum job as he did in the 2007 election.
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