The people of Itesiwaju have been urged to stand their ground against injustice and misogyny by upholding the people’s choice, Alhaja Ajara Taofeek as the All Progressives Congress Party Chairman for Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State.
No intimidation.
No manipulation.
No anti-women politics.
Let the people’s choice stand.
The group – “#protect women leadership” described
the situation unfolding in Itesiwaju Local Government as deeply troubling, disheartening, despicable and against the spirit of fairness, democracy, and the progressive values our party claims to uphold.
Across the country, the leadership of our great party has repeatedly encouraged greater participation of women in politics.
The call for women inclusion is consistent with the position of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the First Lady Senator Remi Tinubu, and the broader APC leadership which states that at least 35% women representation should be at all levels of leadership. Women must be given equal opportunity to participate effectively in governance. Let’s use this medium to congratulate a virtuous woman, Chief Mrs Florence Ajimobi who make sure the just concluded congress is rancour free and key into the APC that women should be recognized and given full responsibilities.
In a surprising and disappointing turn, Professor Adeolu Akande is alleged to be openly working against the emergence of a female chairmanship candidate (Alhaja Taofeek Ajara Adebukola ) in Itesiwaju LG, the one who is widely accepted and supported by the people.
Out of the 33 local government areas in Oyo State, Itesiwaju proudly produced a competent female candidate (Alhaja Ajara Taofeek) for the chairmanship position. Rather than encouraging this milestone for women’s inclusion in politics, Professor Adeolu Akande has chosen to antagonize people’s choice simply because she is an opposite gender, dismissively describing her as “Niyi’s councillor.”
Such rhetoric not only undermines the candidate but also insults the collective aspiration for greater female participation in leadership. Even more disturbing are the condescending remarks allegedly made by the professor, including rhetorical insinuations questioning whether the first female Head of service in oyo state Chief Mrs Hannah Ogunesan was “on drugs.” Statements like these expose a troubling level of disrespect toward women in politics and reveals inability to conceal deep-seated hostility toward female leadership.
Ironically, the same individual attempting to dictate the political direction of Itesiwaju is widely considered not to be originally from the local government, but allegedly from somewhere in Kwara State.
It raises serious concern about legitimacy and motive when someone with such an identity controversy attempts to override the will of the people of Itesiwaju.
Many political observers also note a familiar pattern: a politician whose loyalty to party principles appears conditional. If unable to secure the senate ticket within the APC, it would surprise no one to see him defects to another party in pursuit of the same ambition or in the alternative stay in APC and work against the emerged canidate of APC as usual.
The indigenes of Itesiwaju deserves leaders who respects democracy, uphold party guidelines, and encourage the participation of women in politics, not those who undermine it.
This is not just about one candidate. It is about fairness, representation, and respect for the people’s voice and choice.
The question the people must ask is simple:
How can someone struggling with his own political identity decide the future of Itesiwaju?
If he fails to secure the Senate ticket in APC today, this political rolling stone and political nomad will tomorrow move to another party looking for the same ticket. That is not loyalty, it is political opportunism.
If someone who is aspiring to represent Oyo North in the Senate is already working aggressively to suppress the emergence of a female leader at the grassroots level, what message does that send about the future of women in politics under such leadership?
Leadership should empower, not intimidate. It should encourage participation, not suppress it.
The people of Itesiwaju are not asking for special treatment, they are simply asking that their choice be respected and that the opportunity they have given to a capable female leader not be sabotaged by personal ambition and political scheming.
We therefore call on party leaders and those in positions of authority within the APC to urgently intervene and prevent this injustice.
The people of Itesiwaju must not be robbed of their democratic choice, and the encouragement of women to participate in politics must not be sacrificed on the altar of individual ambition.
Respect the people.
Respect the party’s principles.
Respect women in leadership.
PROGRESS TO ITESIWAJU!!
