June 23, 2021
The (Tiger), Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao Akala, The Otun of the Source, is one of the strongest politicians in Oyo State and Nigeria at large, at 71 years old, he is loved by his loyalists and supporters in the state and all over the world because of his kindness and selflessness.
Adebayo Alao Akala was enlisted as Cadet Inspector of Police in June 1974 at the Nigeria Police College, Ikeja and attended many trainings home and overseas, he held various positions in the Nigerian police force as a young officer , he was the Personal Assistant to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police and subsequently the ADC to IGP. Sunday Adewusi RTD. (Inspector General of Police 1981-1983) and also a commander/DPO of many police formations like Advanced Training Wing, Police College, Ikeja; Divisional Police Officer, Bode Thomas, Lagos; Divisional Police Officer, Iponri Police Station, Lagos; Railway, he later rose to the position of Assistant commissioner of police,Agodi Area command, Ibadan, and later Oyo State Police Command, Ibadan, Oyo State. Assistant commissioner of Police Adebayo
Alao Akala retired from the Nigeria Police force in September 1995.
Otunba Adebayo Alao Akala ventured into politics after a meritorious service to the Nigeria Police force and Nigerian, he participated in the zero-party local government election of 1996 and later co-founded the UNP before its fusion with UNC to form UNCP and later became the first Executive Chairman of Ogbomosho North Local Government under the platform of APP, the party had her stronghold in the northern part of the country, back then APP had one of the evergreen politicians in the history of Nigerian politics, Baba Late. High Chief, Lamidi Adedibu as the leader of the party in Oyo state.
Alao-Akala founded the Ogbomoso Unity Forum, a sociopolitical association which later joined the PDP. He was the Executive Chairman of Ogbomoso North Local Government from 1999 to 2002, there was a crisis in Ogbomosho PDP that affected the then Vice Chairman of ALGON in the State to not enjoy second term as the Executive Chairman of Ogbomosho North Local Government.
The man of destiny enjoyed the support of the Garrison commander of Ibadan Politics Baba, Late. High Chief Lamidi Adedibu, who later decamped to PDP after the bigwigs in the National executives of PDP and High Chief Rasheed Ladoja, the then Governorship Aspirant of the party implored him to join the party, so as to assist PDP in the 2003 elections and to reduce or end the dominance of the then Alliance for Democracy (AD) that dominated the Politics of the Southwest States of the country and to the glory of God and to the surprise of political bookmakers, PDP won five States out of the six States in the region. Otunba Alao Akala later emerged as Deputy Governor, and enjoyed the same ticket under the 2003 Governorship election Winner and PDP candidate, High Chief Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland who defeated former Governor Late (Chief) Onaolapo Lam Adesina of the AD.
Destiny smiled again on the Otun of the Source and he benefited from the crisis between High Chief Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja and the then leader of the Party, Late. High Chief Lamidi Adedibu, Sen. Adewolu Ladoja was impeached by the 5th parliament of Oyo State House of Assembly, in an impeachment process people believed didn't follow due process and that could've tanish the image of the state and country.
Otunba Alao Akala was sworn in as the executive Governor immediately after the impeachment, his Government faced a lot of backlash and media criticisms from the section of the elites and public.
Former Governor Adewolu Ladoja got his mandate restored after eleven months of legal battle and later completed his tenure!
2007 electoral process later started, Late. High Chief. Lamidi Adedibu used his federal might and PDP state machinery to support Otunba Alao Akala to emerge as the candidate of PDP, in the absence of former Governor, High Chief Adewolu Ladoja who was impeached, in a party primary process that was one sided, The reinstated Governor, tried all his best but the Man of destiny had his way, the party members that witnessed the Akure PDP declaration will understand better the joy and anger/rage in the two camps immediately PDP flag was handed to the Otun of the Source, Former Governor. (Dr) Christopher Adebayo Alao Akala as the candidate of the PDP 2007 governorship election.
Otunba (Dr) Adebayo Alao Akala was later sworn-in after State INEC declared him the winner of 2007 Governorship election, he defeated Sen. Abiola Ajimobi of ANPP.
Gov. (Dr.) Alao Akala used all his power to win Oyo state people and elites to his side through populist and Government friendly policies, Otun of the Source, Gov. (Dr). Adebayo Alao Akala is the only Civilian Governor in the history of the State till now that made a lot of Millionaires all across the State through Government Policies, Appointments and Contracts, (No wonder his loyalists and other politicians called him "O 'yato Governor").
His loyalists and associates are presently dominating all political parties in the state, "I remembered then that my friends and oppositions used to call me 'Yomi Akala' and I was mobbed several times because of my love for him and his Government, the funniest thing is that I never met him one on one even till now".
Some of his achievements then are G.Allen to Molete dualization, Orita Junction to Akala Road dualization, Completion of UI to Oojo dualization, Iwo road to Olodo dualization, Reconstruction of Iseyin-Saki express Road, Construction of 5 kilometer roads in all local governments in the state, Establishment of college of medicine Ogbomosho, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Establishment of Oyo State Traffic and Road Management Authority (Oytima), Establishment of radio stations at Alaga FM, Oke Ogun and Ajilete FM Ogbomosho and many other projects I cannot mention because of time.
Towards the middle of his Government, he faced a lot of political propagandas and security challenges, Sen. Teslim Folarin vs Gov. Alao Akala crisis kicked-off after the death of the Garrison commander of Ibadan Politics Late. High Chief Lamidi Adedibu and the crisis was not managed very well by Gov. Alao Akala and the crisis spread to the State NURTW between their State executives of the Union, the chairman of the Union, Alhaji.Lateef Akinsola "Tokyo and Late. Alhaji Abdul Lateef Salako "Eleweomo's camps started having internal crisis and violence everywhere in the state, Alhaji Lateef Akinsola Tokyo later removed by the 'Tiger' and Alhaji. Lateef Salako Eleweomo installed as the chairman of the Union.
Gov. (Dr). Adebayo Alao Akala tried all his best to resolve the security issues in the state but the crisis between him and the Obas in the state, Schools Indomie poisoning and Micra kidnapping propagandas by the then oppositions, Accord Party (AP) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)
was not resolved before the election that produced Sen. Abiola Ajimobi. Koseleri of Oyo State Politics.
Let me use the medium to correct the believe in some quarters that the death of a doctor and others at Iwo Road in 2011, happened during the Government of Gov. Alao Akala, No, the barbaric incident happened (4th June 2011) first week of Sen. Abiola Ajimobi's government.
The PDP and her Government under Former Gov Alao Akala was badly affected by the party's internal crisis and with insecurities in the state, PDP experienced her highest defeat in 8 years, the 2011 elections consumed the Governor, two Senators, Some House of Rep members, House of Assembly Members and also denied Yorubas and Southwest Region the opportunity to produce her first Senate President in the history of Nigerian Politics, the political bookmakers have the opinion that, it was the turn of Southwest and Yorubas to produce the Senate President in the 7th National Assembly (2011 - 2015) and that the two term Senator and the Senate Leader, Senator Teslim Folarin OFR. was the favorite for the post. I pray that Oyo State PDP will never experience 2011 election tsunami again in Jesus name. Amen.
Some sections of politicians and political watchers believed that Gov. (Dr) Adebayo Alao Akala's achievements is far better than the eight years of Former Governor Abiola Ajimobi's Government but the insecurity, internal crisis, the new amendments to the state's chieftaincy laws and opposition's propaganda overshadowed his achievements.
I am not against a populist Government but I strongly believe that Nigerians and Yorubas are not mature for this style of governance, (We need iron hand), Nigerians brought back, Gen. Muhammud Buhari (RTD.) because of his anti-corruption campaign and war against indiscipline in 1983 and not minding or forgetting about the underperformance, inflation and hardships Nigerians experienced during his first coming as a military President.
Populist Government is the best style of governance in a democratic setup, especially developed countries all over the world, it brings friendly relationships between the Government and her Citizens , how we play Opposition and the desperado nature of our politicians are the major forces against populism in the country.
Lastly, Let me use this medium to advise the good people of Oyo State to try and understand Gov. Seyi Makinde's style of governance, his friendly nature and see his achievements in the last two years. I hereby humbly ask His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde to also be flexible on his policies, especially on the issue of security and party matters.
I pray and hope that PDP will continue to be in power for the next eight years so that the people of the state can continue the ongoing developments in the state.
God bless H.E Gov. Seyi Makinde!
God bless PDP!!
God bless Oyo State!!!
