The Minister for Power, Chief Bayo Adelabu is working assiduously to contribute to the renewed hope of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration in the area of power and to being dividends of democracy to Oyo State and Nigeria at large. At the same time political jobbers are intensifying their political naivety and rabble-rousing with their morbid fixation on 2027, instead of supporting the current administration to bring the country and the masses out of the economic adverse condition.
Recently, my attention was drawn to the statement credited to the self acclaimed Southwest leader of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) Alhaji Adebisi Olopeyan, a political jobber par excellence, at the beginning of this year.
Obviously, the personal and style of Olopeya’s politics and politician is gradually going extinct due to the improvement in political ideology and system of the country. Hence the need for him to continue to find relevance in inanities.
Prior to the 2023 general election, he became a soothsayer and prophesying on who will and will not win the election. He beat his chest that President Tinubu can never emerge. Today President Tinubu is the President, while non of his candidates for Senate, House of Representatives and member of the state Assembly could barely received 2,000 votes altogether.
This is Olopeyan who promised Presidental Candidate of NNPP, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankaso the heaven and the earth to deliver Oyo state but surprisingly the self acclaimed leader could not delivered his polling units and wards, talkless of his local government, Ibadan North East.
With many unguided outburst of Alhaji Adebisi Olopeyan before the 2023 Governorship election, especially on Governor Seyi Makinde, one would clearly know the kind of person he is. GSM outrightly rejected the plan of Olopeyan to become the Godfather or turning himself to another Lamidi Adedibu.
When you are talking of integrity, good governance, respect for the rule of law and accountability are not in the dictionary of Olopeyan at all. Despite the trust and huge amount of money collected from the retired Director, Federal Ministry of Works, the Governorship candidate of NNPP in Oyo State, Engr. Joshua Olukayode Popoola, Olopeyan reportedly collected another huge amount and supported the re-election bid of Engr. Seyi Makinde. The question is where is integrity in that?
Olopoeyan’s purported rift with Governor Makinde appears more rooted in personal gain than a commitment to the state’s welfare. The 2019 election results reflect his lack of influence, debunking his self-proclaimed political strength and rendering him a mere noisemaker without substance.
Moreover, it’s worth noting that Olopoeyan is currently associated with the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), raising questions about his involvement in the affairs of the APC and PDP. This indicates a potential inconsistency in his political affiliations and a deviation from the principles of the NNPP.
In assessing Oyo politics, it is essential for the public to discern between genuine concerns for the state’s welfare and opportunistic political cancerworms. Olopoeyan’s track record of shifting alliances and lack of tangible contributions to credible candidates in Oyo state highlight the importance of scrutinizing individuals claiming influence in the political landscape.
Oyo state should be careful about the character of the likes of Adebisi Olopeyan.
By: Hon Kayode Fagunwa (Former Chairman, Ibadan South East LCDA)
