The race for who succeeds Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State is getting hotter by the day. Though, 2027 is still far away, serious politicians have begun preparations.
One of those few politicians who has begun mobilization and sensitization is the popular Oyo State politician, Mrs Bolanle Sarumi Ashabi.
Although, this is not her first attempt. In 2019, she made her record breaking vision to become the first female governor in Nigeria but was not successful, as she ran under the National Interest Party for Oyo State gubernitorial election.
Later in the year 2020, she was appointed as Chairman, Oyo State Water Corporation, Special Adviser on Tourism and Senior Special Assistant (Diaspora).
The hot news making round now is that Bolanle Ashiru Sarumi Aliyu popularly called BASA has been going around to meet with various political stakeholders within Oyo State to seek their support in the forthcoming guber election in 2027.
According to several reports, several women groups, youth organisations and political associations have continually reinforced their determinations to support the political vision of the female icon, ahead of 2027 governorship elections in Oyo State.
This energetic lady is all but ready to vie for the No 1 post in Oyo and may become the first female governor in the state. The beautiful woman in her manifesto a fewbyears back promises to impact major areas which her government will focus on. She tagged it “HEART”, an acronym that explains Health, Education, All-inclusiveness, Revolution, and Transformation. She stated that her government will achieve the “HEART” initiative through transparent services and accountability.
Mrs. Omobolanle doubles as the CEO of Bees Bridal and MIA uniforms. She also founded Childhood Bridge International Initiative and BASA Foundation to impact lives and remain relevant to national growth and development. Mrs. Omobolanle delved into active politics in at the right time from the grassroot and since then, her vision is centered on promoting and encouraging gender equality, building a better body of politics and improved democracy in Nigeria.
Before now, the first ever female Governorship aspirant was appointed as the Senior Special Assistance on social development to the then Minister of FCT, Chief Jumoke Akinjide, which evolved her interest in grassroot politics.
With her fast rising political profile, the iconic woman is committed in the path of providing comfort and a new direction in Oyo State and Nigeria in entirety.
However, the people of Oyo State, especially women, who makes up over 60 percent of the state’s population have thrown their support behind Mrs Omobalanle, with great anticipations for her strategic leadership prospects.
A few years back she was interviewed on her gubernitorial ambition and why the need for to run? “Why should I be advised not to go for governor when I have all the qualities needed to be the head of Oyo State? I am a God-fearing person, I love being of service to the people, I have been in business since the age of 21. So it is a level playing field for us. For me, it was actually God that announced me in public with over 2,000 women from all over Africa at a summit in Abuja”.
“I have all it takes to win and will win if the electorate don’t fall for money politics. I will never pay anyone to vote for me. I tell the voters that if anyone comes to share money for you to vote him in, then, believe me, he will never bring any development to that area or local government for four years. I asked them would they choose cash over development and they tell me development. I believe the Oyo State electorate is very wise, and know what’s best for them”.
BASA has a degree in Social Policy from Anglia Ruskin University,Cambridge, United Kingdom and also a graduate of Social Welfare in the United Kingdom. She became an entrepreneur at the age of 21, opening her own boutique in Gbagi, Ibadan and afterwards ventured into other business. She started a foundation known as BASA Foundation in 2018 this to provide empowerment opportunities for youths both male and female. She was appointed the Special Assistant on Social Development to the former FCT Minister, Chief Jumoke Akinjide. She is the first female governorship aspirant in Oyo State, and has indicated interest to run for the 2019 election.
