The Oyo State House of Assembly has confirmed the nomination of Prof. Raphael Afonja, Alhaja Faosat Sanni and Oluwaseun Fakorede as commissioners.
The confirmation of the three additional commissioner-nominees by the state assembly made it a total of 17 commissioners in the cabinet of Engr. Seyi Makinde, the governor of the state.
The newly confirmed commissioners are expected to fill the three remaining vacant ministries of Works and Transport, Youth and Sport and Women Affairs and Social Inclusion.
Among commissioner nominees is a 27 years old graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, Oluwaseun Fakorede, he is an indigene of Idere in Ibarapa North/Ibarapa Central state constituency, Prof. Rapheal Afonja, a United States of America trained Civil engineer, who is a native of Ile Adesiyan, Isale Afon, Ogbomosho North Local Government, Oyo state and Alhaja Fausat Joke Sanni, a former Deputy Registrar at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Alhaja Sanni is from Ojanla, Iseyin Local Government in Oke-Ogun area part of Oyo State.
Meanwhile, the nomination of Oluwaseun Fakorede is being opposed by leaders and some youths who are aggrieved members of Peoples Democratic Party in Ibarapa North and Ibarapa Central Local Government.
It was alleged that his father, Chief Olusola Fakorede had defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) prior to the 2019 gubernatorial election.
Alhaji Rashidi Sunmonu and Sir Samuel Olawuwo, who spoke on behalf of leaders and some youths of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ibarapa North and Central Local Government areas of the state, also alleged that stakeholders involved in the nomination process of commissioner nominees failed to honour zoning agreement.
They expressed that the protest was not being staged against Governor Seyi Makinde but to register their displeasure over the choice of Seun Fakorede as commissioner nominee from the zone.
In his reaction, the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin has described the nomination of Seun Fakorede as a commissioner in Oyo State as a good development which confirmed the position of Oyo State as a pace setter state.
“The involvement of more youths in politics and in running the affairs of the state will bring about a better and quality representation of people in government. Youths possess qualities of good decision making, quick thinking and are intelligent to make the difference.”
While charging the aggrieved members of People Democratic Party in Ibarapa North and Ibarapa Central to remain calm, the Speaker noted that the nomination of Fakorede as a commissioner is a plus to Ibarapa zone and urged them to embrace him and join hand with him to develop the state.
However, in his reaction to the incident, Oluwaseun Fakorede said that the grouse between him and the protesters is an issue that will be addressed and settled amicably. He promised not to betray the confidence reposed in him.
He opined that his nomination will serve as a challenge to other youths out there to brace up and be ready to contribute positively to the society.
Packaged by Kunle Gazali
