Come 2019, at least, eight old boys of one of Ibadan’s elitist public schools, Lagelu Grammar School will be throwing their hats in to contest for the governorship seat of Oyo State.
Directly or indirectly connected to this is the fact that the incumbent governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi is also an old student of the prestigious institution of learning located at Agugu in Ibadan North East Local Government.
PMParrot editorial team came up with this story idea originally because of some of these Lagelu Old boys who had contested or attempted to contest in the past 18 years.
Some of those to be discussed here have declared their plan to contest publicly while others are still ‘consulting’. One or two are still sitting on the sideline restricting discussions about their plans to their inner friends.
Follow us and let us meet distinguished Lagerians creating records and making waves with gubernatorial ambitions:
Adelabu Adebayo Adekola: He is in his mid 40s and is perceived to be the most liquid and serious. In addition to his pedigree as a grandson of late Adegoke Adelabu Penkelemess, he is touted to be the man to be anointed by his Senior Abiola Ajimobi, the incumbent governor. He left Lagelu Grammar School in 1987 and has since worked as a banker at First Bank and other banks. He is presently the Deputy Governor of Nigeria’s Central Bank. He is officially not affiliated to any party. All his activities are restricted to Adebayo Adelabu Foundation where he has been supporting the masses and the under privileged in the state.
Rilwan Adesoji Akanbi: This astute Politician has been eyeing the gubernatorial seat since he served the administration of late Alhaji Lamidi Onaolapo Adesina between 1999 and 2003 as a Special Adviser on Economic Matters. He had earlier been to the House of Representatives in Abuja as a very young man. Adesoji is one of the most consistent politicians we have around. He has never jumped from one party to the other since he came into limelight as a politician. Very strong All Progressives Congress loyalist and intensely close to the leader of the party, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He is presently the Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District at the Upper House in Abuja. He left Lagelu Grammar School in 1979.
Taiwo Ibiyemi Otegbeye: This young man has contested at least thrice since Nigeria started this particular republic. During Governor Ajimobi’s first term, political arrangements threw Taiwo up and he emerged as a Commissioner in charge of Oyo State’s Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism. He is said to be oiling his campaign machinery under his Action Alliance Party. He is a 1982 set member.
Taofeek Oladejo Arapaja: He was one of late Lamidi Adedibu’s protégées. He served as the Chairman, Ibadan South East Local Government in Mapo. He was later made the Deputy Governor to Ex-Governor Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was still holding the ace. ExPresident Goodluck Jonathan gave him an appointment as an Ambassador and he was posted to Jordan. He is said to have crossed over to the ruling APC – this move is supposed to be the first step towards realizing his gubernatorial ambition since the incumbent is no longer contesting for the same post. Arapaja left Lagelu Grammar School in 1977.
Wole Arisekola: This silent achiever is a successful Dublin and Abuja based businessman. Though not a biological son to late Aare Abdulazeez Arisekola Alao, he grew up being very close to the Aare Musulumi. He has also been eyeing the gubernatorial seat for over 12 years. Somewhere along the line, he lost interest and he never came out to declare his ambition. Wole, who also publishes Streetjournal Magazine, we were told by those close enough to him that he may, however, come out publicly to declare his ambition this time around since the coast is clear. He left Lagelu Grammar School in 1984.
Owolabi Salami: This Lagelite is a little bit unknown but his friends are already in town canvassing for him. Apart from being a brilliant lawyer, he is also a big insurance broker who runs Ensure Insurance. He is, for now not really affiliated to any political party. He left Lagelu in 1983.
Kayode Akintola Afolabi: Doctor Afolabi is one of the most successful consultant gynecologists ever produced by Nigeria. He worked at the Adeoyo General Hospital, the University College Hospital and is now a Director at the Federal Ministry of Health in Abuja. He was at a time, chairman of AMDO. He also served as Commissioner for Health under the administration of Ex Governor Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja. Kayode Akintola (so named after iconic late Samuel Ladoke Akintola) is quietly working on his ambition which he has been nursing for about 10 years. He too, may publicly announce his move soon. Akintola left Lagelu in 1982.
Akeem Agbaje: This highly successful lawyer is one of the surprises of the season. He is definitely not the noise-making type but has been working undergrounds in the past couple of months. He has restricted discussions on his ambition to highly exclusive relevant individuals within and outside Oyo State. His pedigree as a grandson of late Salami Agbaje in Ibadan is also a selling point for him. A source close to Akeem informed PMParrot that he is ready ans will soon publicly declare. He is presently the Chairman, Ibadan Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). He graduated from Lagelu in 1984.
Others: PMParrot can authoritatively reveal that at least two other Lagelu Grammar School products presently serving with Governor Ajimobi in different capacities are ‘loyally’ awaiting ‘further instructions’ to join the guber train. For now, their names have not been revealed by our sources. With time, they will be unveiled too.
Packaged by Olayinka Agboola
