OYO State appears next to Ekiti in the number of political bigwigs contesting for the post of the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Assistant Editor, ADEOLU ADEYEMO, X-rays the strengths and weaknesses of the aspirants.

Dr Nureni Adeniran  Adeniran is a former commissioner in the state.   Born in 1961, he attended Moslem Grammar School Odinjo and the University of Ibadan where he bagged his first, second and third degrees.

An erudite scholar who has almost 60 publications to his credit in the field of education, he was a local government chairman before he was appointed a commissioner by former governor Adebayo Alao-Akala.

Between June 2009 and November 2010, Dr Adeniran was the Commissioner for Industry, Applied Science and Technology and between November 2010 and May 2011, he was the Commissioner for Education.

He also introduced measures which saw to a rise in the standard of education in the state. Qualified teachers were employed and emphasis was placed largely on the sciences.His admirers say of all the contenders, Dr Adeniran stands out as an epitome of hardwork and a grassroots politician of note with native intelligence to deal with problems within and outside PDP.

According to them, Adeniran could deliver in turbulent situations. Because he is impartial and detribalised, they say, he could merge opposing groups.

Adeniran said, “A lot of researches and my academic publications speak volumes. All this will be added advantage as I look forward to becoming the PDP national secretary. The problems of PDP are bestunderstood by somebody like me because I am not going there to flex muscles, but to reconcile all camps so that my party can move to the next level and greater heights.

“I do n’t see it as an assignment which is not challenging, but I am quite sure I possess the necessary requirements and wherewithal to sail through and make landmarks in the history of PDP. I will apply all strategies to the success of the party and the fact remains that my qualification and suitability for the job are going to be determined by the party through the due process which we believe in. I will definitely turn our secretariat around with midas touches that will forever stand the test of time if eventually chosen,” he added.

Professor Taoheed Adedoja
This is another outstanding contestant for the post from the state. Adedoja was two-time provost of the Federal College of Education (Special),Oyo and he hails from Ibadan. He was the chairman of the state Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) during the administration of former governor, Rashidi Ladoja. He was the governorship candidate of the then Action Congress (AC) in the state. He contested the election but retraced his steps to PDP and was appointed the state commissioner for education by Alao-Akala. He was nominated first as the minister of special duties and later moved to the federal ministry of sports.

Professor Adedoja is a great achiever when saddled with a responsibility to serve his country in different capacities, but his critics say he is not a grassroots politician. He is well-read and has national experience.

Chief Bayo Bankole
Bankole was the Commissioner for Finance under the administration of Alao-Akala. His associates describe him as a grassroots politician, who is loved by many. He hails from Ogbomoso, in Orire Local Government Area. He has experience in politics and his political profile has risen sharply. He was the running mate to the governorship candidate of PDP in the state in 1999, Chief Yekini Adeojo.

However, some say his chances of winning are slim because he hails from the same town with  former governor, Alao-Akala. Another reason, according to them, is that the secretary of the PDP in the state hails from Ogbomoso, while the party’s Leader in the House of Representatives is also from the town. The reconcialiation committee set up by the party in the state is also being chaired by Chief Saka Balogun from Ogbomoso.