Ajimobi appoints Ladoja’s men as aides

As a result of the fresh crisis in Oyo PDP, the ruling ACN appears to be making enough political capital of the crisis and fortifying its hold onto power in the state.

Ostensibly as a result of a closed-door meeting between Governor Abiola Ajimobi and Ladoja on Thursday afternoon, Ajimobi has approved the appointment of some foot soldiers of Ladoja as special advisers and members as well as board chairmen.

Ajimobi was said to have discussed the stability of the House, among other issues, with Ladoja. He was said to have promised to honour the remaining terms of the gentleman’s agreement the duo had before the inauguration of the House could be achieved.

It will be recalled that Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, fronting for ACN national leader, Bola Tinubu, had visited Ladoja in his Bodija residence in the when it became apparent that the former governor was on the verge of returning to his former party.

Two days after his meeting with Ladoja, Governor Ajimobi appointed Chief Bayo Lawal, a senatorial aspirant in the Accord Party (AP) in 2011 and one other person as his special advisers. Also appointed were Chief Segun Oyewole from Ibadan North West Local Government (chairman of board) and many other Ladoja’s men as board members on Saturday.

The Special Adviser to Governor Ajimobi on Media, Dr Festus Adedayo, who confirmed the appointments, said those appointed were indigenes of Oyo State and that he could not confirm whether they were Ladoja's men or not.

Meanwhile, following the controversies dogging the congresses in Oyo PDP, four of the lawmakers elected on the platform of the umbrella party have threatened to defect to the Accord Party, if the list of elected executives are not harmonised to accommodate Ladoja’s men.

If the lawmakers make good their threat, AP legislators would increase to 11 from the seven they are currently, while the rank of the PDP would be further depleted to six from 12 that were sworn-in in the House.

It will be recalled that the seven AP lawmakers and the 10 form the PDP known as the G-17 had been meeting regularly, having earlier been reported to be sure Ladoja would return.