Amid the current tensions within the Oyo APC, you established the Remi Oseni Committee of Friends (ROCOF). Does this reflect a lack of trust in your party?
There’s a common misconception that ROCOF competes with the APC, but that’s not the case. Rather than serving as an opposition body, ROCOF’s purpose is to strengthen and support efforts by the APC in Oyo State. While the initiative began in Oyo, its aspirations are much broader, focusing on mobilising for President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 as well as advancing my own political ambitions. Membership is diverse, extending beyond a single party, creed, or ethnic group. Our aim is to rally like-minded individuals committed to supporting both President Tinubu and myself. The challenges we face as a party are immense, and it would be unrealistic to expect the APC alone to shoulder that burden.
The APC’s recent performance in the by-election was below expectations. What led to the party’s defeat?
Allow me to clarify what transpired during the Ibadan North by-election. Our party underestimated the distinctive nature of a by-election; it differs significantly from a general election. Running as the opposition in Oyo State, we failed to tailor our strategy appropriately. The planning and execution weren’t as rigorous as the political climate required, which was our first setback. Such contests demand well-thought-out tactics, especially when challenging the state’s ruling party. We’ve taken these lessons seriously and have returned to strategising afresh ahead of the general elections. Our mindset and approach for 2027 will reflect these lessons learned.
Moving forward from the by-election, how are you and key leaders working to reposition the Oyo APC and prevent a repeat performance in the upcoming 2027 polls?
It’s reassuring to see widespread acknowledgment that critical errors were made. The question now is how to correct course. As mentioned, we are back at the drawing board, embracing this as a collective challenge—one that requires us to realign and rebuild the APC in Oyo. We’ve assessed our past missteps, notably in the run-up and during the by-election, where APC secured 8,312 votes compared with the PDP’s 18,404. This result does not accurately reflect our party’s potential in the state.
Your efforts through ROCOF and related initiatives signal strong support for President Tinubu. What are your personal political ambitions for 2027?
Ambition for its own sake isn’t my priority. Restoring unity and effectiveness within the Oyo APC takes precedence. My focus, alongside other party leaders, is on positioning the party for success on all fronts. Once that foundation is restored, political opportunities—such as electing candidates across various offices—will naturally follow.
Are you considering a gubernatorial run or a return to the National Assembly?
Pursuing greatness requires both vision and investment, as I see it. Right now, I am preparing for greater responsibility, ensuring the party recognises capable leadership in times of crisis. Our aim should be to seek out and present the most qualified candidates—be it for executive or legislative roles. Experience has shown that if the preferred option isn’t present, the available candidate often becomes the compromise choice, emphasizing the need for proactive candidate selection.
With the significant political weight of the Minister of Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, in the APC, do you think your peace-building efforts will bear fruit?
On this issue, I’d prefer to maintain a respectful distance from personal matters. However, the aftermath of the last by-election demonstrated to all stakeholders that a more professional approach is now essential. The Honourable Minister and I remain united in striving for the renewed progress of Oyo State.
Ibadan, representing Oyo South, has historically produced most Oyo State governors—aside from rare exceptions. Why does Ibadan tend to resist zoning the governorship to Oyo Central or Oyo North?
This is a subject of growing debate. In my view, it comes down to providence or “grace.” You cannot legislate or oppose such outcomes. It is not Ibadan’s sole responsibility to ensure a governor emerges from Ibarapa or Oke Ogun. It requires collaborative action from state elders: engaging leaders across Ibadan, Ibarapa, and Oke Ogun, and reaching a deliberate agreement to rotate the governorship across zones. This system is workable, but it hinges on intentional and decisive dialogue among stakeholders. For instance, drawing lessons from the Niger Delta—a region benefiting uniquely from oil derivation—the allocation of resources is also an issue of grace and negotiated understanding. As for Oke Ogun or Ibarapa producing a governor, I have consistently advised on workable approaches. Ultimately, the sitting governor also has a significant role in facilitating power shift should the political will exist.
Is it realistic to reach such a rotational arrangement given Ibadan’s population?
The prospects are strong, provided elders unite and governance does not devolve into sectional politics. Practically, zones—such as Ibadan, Oke Ogun, Ogbomosho, and Ibarapa—could convene a summit to select a consensus candidate for the governorship, irrespective of party affiliation. A vital step is for all zones to agree not to cede the deputy governorship to candidates from other zones. If every political party fields candidates only from a particular zone, voting dynamics will shift. Notably, Ibadan commands about 40% of votes, Oke Ogun roughly 30%, and these blocs wield considerable communal influence. As I have observed at the grassroots, wards with large non-indigene populations can be swayed through effective community engagement. Once the zones unite behind a candidate, leveraging their tradition of voting en bloc (known locally as “Ibo Olojukan”), other zones can indeed produce governors if they organize effectively.
You previously implied that APC’s successes in the 2023 general elections were largely due to your efforts and those of select party members. Yet, it is widely believed that Governor Makinde helped President Tinubu during the presidential race, partly due to his rift with Atiku Abubakar. Given growing speculation about Makinde’s ambitions in 2027, could this explain the last by-election’s outcome in Ibadan North?
Let me clarify: I have always considered myself modest. In the 2023 polls, while it’s claimed Governor Makinde may have assisted the APC, I can only speak to my federal constituency, where he offered no assistance. In fact, it was reported that he met with traditional rulers before the election and allegedly lobbied against my candidacy. I am open to any evidence otherwise. Despite these challenges, we persevered and succeeded, owing—to borrow Apostle Paul’s phrase—to grace.
Did Governor Makinde campaign for Atiku Abubakar?
As for whom Governor Makinde campaigned, that’s not my concern. My commitment was to ensure the APC won in my constituency and across Oyo State. Campaign strategies of opponents did not distract our objectives.
This is precisely why we established ROCOF—a non-partisan, non-religious, and inclusive movement for the revival of Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole. Our goal is to amass at least half a million members by year-end, transcending political divides. Should the need arise, I will mobilise these supporters to fortify the APC’s base. Past experiences—such as the governor allegedly urging traditional rulers to act against me, or the reported violence against party members—demonstrate why we have to be strategic and proactive for 2027. Caution, civility, and resilience have kept us forward-focused, even as we contend with intimidation or violence in local council elections. These experiences only underscore the urgency of rebuilding trust and capacity within the party.
Many federal roads in southern Nigeria are in poor condition. What measures are being implemented to ensure FERMA addresses these issues?
We’ve moved past discussions; actionable steps are underway. I raised concerns at a public committee meeting months ago regarding the approach of the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi. Having traversed Nigeria professionally, I am familiar with the dire state of key expressways: Shagamu-Benin, Benin-Asaba, Onitsha-Enugu, Calabar-Uyo, Ibadan-Ife, among others—journeys once so treacherous that they tested commuters’ patience. These pre-existing problems demanded urgent intervention. As Chairman of FERMA, my priority was to develop a pragmatic roadmap for tackling road rehabilitation rather than solely investing in new construction projects, which require substantial time and resources. Our strategy emphasizes making vital corridors passable in the short term, recognising that enduring solutions necessitate diplomatic engagement and clear priority-setting for high-traffic routes.
How can the president best address the deteriorating state of federal roads across Nigeria?
A coordinated approach is critical: seeking presidential intervention funds to target the most trafficked roads, while maintaining a parallel focus on ongoing legacy projects. The public demands results, and the president is not expected to oversee repairs personally—that’s the minister’s role. According to road usage data, routes such as Lagos-Abuja and Lagos-Onitsha handle about 80% of long-haul traffic. Concentrating rehabilitation efforts on these arteries will yield maximum impact and is likely to draw positive public feedback within months. Afterwards, attention can shift to other roadways. For expedient results, maintenance should take precedence over total reconstruction, making roads functional while ambitious projects progress. Regular public updates from the Works Minister would further reassure Nigerians and minimize criticism of existing projects. This message has been communicated during FERMA’s legislative sessions, and we urge continuous progress reporting and transparency.
Has your engagement with the Minister of Works led to any improvements?
It’s only honest to say there has been visible progress. Our engagement prompted a reconsideration of the previous strategy; positive changes are now evident on several corridors. Open dialogue and patriotic commitment have proven effective in influencing outcomes at the federal level.
Can you highlight recent FERMA interventions helping commuters reduce travel time nationwide?
There has been tangible transformation. For instance, a recent partnership enabled China to provide essential road rehabilitation machinery. With better equipment, FERMA has accelerated repairs and construction—most notably around the Shagamu-Ijebu-Ode axis, Benin-Warri route, and on the Ife-Ibadan expressway, which has already been contracted for reconstruction. These upgrades reflect a dramatic improvement from previous years, giving hope to everyday commuters and businesses alike.
When can Nigerians expect to see these rehabilitations commence?
While I can’t provide definitive schedules due to budgetary processes, several contracts—including the Ibadan-Oyo, Ogbomosho-Oyo, and Calabar-Uyo segments—have been awarded. Work has already begun in some areas, signaling ongoing momentum and a break from historical stagnation.
Could you share more about your personal background for those unfamiliar?
I am Hon. Aderemi Abbas Oseni from Ido Local Government, Oyo State. My academic journey began at IDC Primary School, Okunnawo, and Akufo High School—both in Ido. My educational path was shaped by the generosity of Chief Bola Ige, who provided free tuition and books. I went on to study Civil Engineering at Ibadan Polytechnic (ND) and Federal Polytechnic Ilaro (HND), earning a Government Award during my national service. I subsequently pursued advanced studies at the University of Leeds, obtaining a Master’s in Structural Engineering (distinction), though I declined doctoral opportunities to return to Nigeria due to professional commitments. My experience spans both public and private sectors, including managing major infrastructure projects and leading Step Development Limited—a civil engineering firm employing hundreds and delivering projects across aviation, banking, oil, telecoms, and more. My company initially focused on private partnerships but has expanded into public infrastructure development, following reforms that improved governance and accountability in contract processes.
Local residents and national stakeholders continue to track the evolving political and infrastructural landscape of Oyo State, as leaders like Hon. Oseni advocate for reform, strategic planning, and inclusive progress in both politics and public works.
What are your thoughts on strategic political reforms and road infrastructure in Oyo and across Nigeria? Have you experienced the improvements on major corridors, or do you think more needs to be done? Share your perspective in the comments, and follow us for updates on politics and infrastructure in Nigeria and West Africa.
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