The political differences between Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, and his predecessor, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, have taken a fresh turn following a series of developments that have further strained their relationship.
Both men, who were once political allies, have in recent months found themselves on opposite sides of several issues within the All Progressives Congress (APC), with the latest development coming shortly after the party’s governorship primary in the state.
Sources familiar with the political situation had attributed the disagreement partly to the question of who would receive the backing of the governor ahead of the 2019 governorship election.
Tensions became more pronounced in the days leading to the APC primary held on Sunday, September 30, 2018, after Alao-Akala, who was among the aspirants cleared by the party’s National Working Committee to participate in the contest, announced his withdrawal.
Alao-Akala subsequently directed his supporters and delegates not to participate in the exercise, while raising allegations concerning the conduct of the primary.
He alleged that there were plans to impose another aspirant, Tegbe.
The primary eventually produced Chief Bayo Adelabu, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), as the APC governorship candidate.
Alao-Akala’s Property Sealed
Barely days after the controversial primary, another development brought the disagreement into sharper public focus.
A property associated with Alao-Akala at the popular Ile Itesiwaju complex in Dugbe, Ibadan, was sealed by officials of the Oyo State Board of Internal Revenue as part of a tax-enforcement exercise.
The action triggered a reaction from the former governor, who alleged that the closure was politically motivated.
In a statement issued by Jeremiah Akande, Head of New Media and Public Affairs of the Alao-Akala Campaign Organisation, the former governor urged his supporters to remain calm and law-abiding.
Alao-Akala alleged that officials of the revenue board, accompanied by security personnel, had arrived at the property on Oba Adebimpe Road, Dugbe, and sealed the premises over alleged non-compliance with tax obligations.
He further alleged that the action was connected to the political disagreement ahead of the 2019 election.
The former governor therefore appealed to his supporters not to take the law into their hands, urging them to remain peaceful.
Oyo Government Explains Action
The Oyo State Government, however, rejected the allegation of political victimisation.
In its response, the government said the enforcement exercise was part of a wider effort to recover outstanding taxes from individuals, companies and institutions across the state.
According to the government, tax defaulters had been given opportunities and notices to reconcile their records and meet their statutory obligations before enforcement commenced.
Officials said several organisations and business premises had been affected by the exercise, stressing that the enforcement was not targeted at any individual.
The government listed several premises affected by the exercise, including an event hall associated with the University College Hospital, Ibadan, the National Horticultural Research Institute, Wemabod, Carlton Gate Hotel and the NUT Teachers House, alongside the Ile Itesiwaju complex.
It also said that, after Governor Ajimobi was informed that the Ile Itesiwaju property was associated with the former governor, he directed that the premises be reopened to allow additional time for the owner to reconcile his records with the revenue board.
The government maintained that the reopening did not amount to an exemption from tax obligations, insisting that the outstanding liabilities would still have to be addressed.
Alao-Akala Questions Political Understanding
Meanwhile, the former governor has continued to express dissatisfaction with what he described as the treatment of his supporters within the APC administration in Oyo State.
During a radio programme through one of his aides, Alao-Akala reportedly dismissed speculation that his son, Olamiju Alao-Akala, then Chairman of Ogbomoso North Local Government, could emerge as the running mate to the APC governorship candidate.
He was also reported to have spoken about an earlier political understanding between himself and Governor Ajimobi.
According to Alao-Akala, the arrangement was intended to allow both political blocs to work together in managing the affairs of the APC and strengthening the party ahead of future elections.
He alleged that the governor had not honoured the understanding, accusing the administration of sidelining his supporters in political appointments and the management of party affairs.
Alao-Akala also cited the absence of his loyalists from appointments as commissioners and chairmen of government boards, as well as what he described as the handling of party activities, among the issues that had contributed to the disagreement.
His decision to stay away from the September 30 governorship primary eventually became one of the most visible signs of the widening political differences within the Oyo APC.
With the 2019 general elections drawing closer, the developments have placed the relationship between the two former allies under increasing public scrutiny as the APC moves forward with its campaign preparations in the state.
-Dare Adeniran
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