The year 2023 governorship election in Oyo State was a challenging one as political gladiators ganged up to unseat Governor Seyi Makinde.
Some politicians in Oyo State emerged victorious, while others suffered defeats, disappointments, and disgrace.
Here are some of the biggest political winners and losers in 2023:
1) Governor Seyi Makinde – He won 31 out of the 33 local governments (biggest winner)
2) Rauf Olaniyan – He left the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress in his bid to unseat his former boss, Governor Seyi Makinde.
He proved his political relevance by ensuring that PDP lost in his local government (Oorelope) both the governorship and State Assembly elections.
Though Governor Seyi Makinde lost by 500 votes in the local government which was understandable.
But the Governor won the overall election which made the victory of APC in Oorelope irrelevant.
While Olaniyan remains the biggest loser in 2023:
1) If he had mend fences with Governor Seyi Makinde, he wouldn’t have been impeached.
The panel set up to investigate him found him guilty of all the allegations leveled against.
2) He would still be serving as Deputy Governor by now (second term)
3) In 2027, he would have used his office to champion the Oke Ogun agenda (power shift) and many would see him as a worthy successor to his principal.
4) Engineer Rauf Olaniyan might eventually get the Oyo North Senatorial ticket in the PDP to pacify him for his loyalty to his principal for eight years if the Oke Ogun Agenda fails.
5) Now, Olaniyan is still in court to appeal his impeachment.
3) Senator Teslim Folarin: His party leaders made him a major loser despite getting the support and endorsement of a former Governor, Senator Rashidi Ladoja.
The APC governorship candidate lost in his polling unit, ward and local government.
After the election, Senator Teslim Folarin at a public function in Ido Local Government said he was placed under the bus by his political party.
4) Barrister Adebayo Shittu: He remains another major loser in the 2023 .
He thought he would be made a Minister by Tinubu. He equally campaigned against the reelection of his benefactor (Governor Seyi Makinde) who assisted him when he emerged as a Minister in 2015.
5) Hon Mulikat Akande and other aggrieved PDP Leaders
Hon Mulikat Akande, a former Majority leader at the House of Representatives member, Hon Demola Omotosho, Hon Yemi Aderibigbe, Hon Michael Okunlade, Hon Afeez Jimoh Ona-Ara, all left the Peoples Democratic Party and supported Teslim Folarin of APC, they lost all together.
6) Bisi Olopeyan: As a far the 2023 was concerned, he remains one of the biggest losers. He quickly realigned himself with Governor Seyi immediately INEC declared the PDP winner of the election.
Other notable winners were:
Otunba Seye Famojuro
Senator Monsurat Summonu
Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi
Rt. Hon Debo Ogundoyin
Alhaji Wasiu Adeleke
Senator Ayoola Agboola
Makinde’s campaign team
Tope Olawore writes from Ibarapa Central