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Meet The 13 Politicians Who Started SWAGA

by City People
  • In Support Of Pres. TINUBUโ€™s Campaign

Last year, some politicians across, Southwest States came together to form a group named South West Agenda for Asiwaju better known as SWAGA to push forward and compel, Pres. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was then the national leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), to contest for presidency in the 2023 elections.

Though the APC national leader, Bola Tinubu had not publicly declared his interest to contest for the highest political office in Nigeria then, this group particularly its founders met with several prominent Nigerians including traditional rulers like Olubadan of Ibadan, Ooni of Ile-Ife among others to discuss and seek their supports to make the mission a reality. It happened. He contested and won.

Many people have heard, seen and read press statements issued by the group, SWAGA, but they barely know the founders of this political group who didnโ€™t relent in its efforts to propagate their mission which is to portray Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as an agenda for southwest in the 2023 elections.

Below are the names, and short profiles of the founders of South West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA).

 

(1) DAYO ADEYEYE

Adedayo Clement Adeyeye, a politician, is the national chairman of South-West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA). The Ekiti-born politician and graduate of Political Science is one of the leading founders of SWAGA. Findings revealed that he also obtained a law degree from the University of Lagos in 1986 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1987.

Politically, Adeyeye first served as Director of Publicity, Falae for President Campaign Organisation (1990-1992). He also served as an adviser on policy and Press Matters, M.K.O. Abiola for President Campaign Organisation (1993) and spokesperson for the Alliance for Democracy (AD). Adeyeye was nominated by President Goodluck Jonathan as a Minister of State for works in 2014.

As a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adeyeye was appointed as the National Publicity Secretary of the party under the leadership of Senator Ahmed Makarfi on 9 June 2016. As a member and candidate of the APC in Ekiti South Senatorial District in the National Assembly election in 2019, Adeyeye defeated Senator Biodun Olujimi of Peoples Democratic Party.

 

(2) SOJI AKANBI

Rilwan Adesoji Akanbi is a leading politician, and the deputy national Chairman of South-West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA). The Oyo-born politician is a graduate of Post Graduate Diploma in Management Studies, Kingston University, Kingston Upon-Tyme Kings after West London Business School, Acton Town W3 where he obtained a certificate in Business Administration in 1982.

Politically, Akanbi was a member of Afenifere Renewal Group from 2007 to 2015 and firstly served as member of House of Representatives from 1992 to 1993. He also served as a special adviser to Governor Lam Adesina from 1993 to 2003.

Rilwan Adesoji Akanbi contested for the seat of the Oyo South Senatorial District on the Platform of the All Progressives Congress(APC) and emerged winner in 2015. Akanbi tried his possible best to return to the seat in 2019 but he was among APC chieftains and members who abandoned the ruling party and defected to Action Democratic Party (ADP) after a power struggle within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Akanbi eventually contested in ADP and lost in 2019.

 

(3) JEREMIAH ONAOLAPO OBADARA

Jeremiah Olugbenga Onaolapo is a politician and proud owner of SWEET 107.1FM. The Ogun-born politician and NCE certificate holder, Obadara is one of the founders of South-West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA).

Politically, Obadara competed in the Action Congress party primaries for the 2007 senatorial elections, but did not win the nomination. In April 2011, Obadara tried his luck again and ran for election as Senator for Ogun Central and defeated incumbent Senator Iyabo Obasanjo Bello of the Peopleโ€™s Democratic Party (PDP).

 

(4) OYETUNDE OLADIMEJI OJO

Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo is a politician and son-in-law to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Oyetunde Oladimeji is the husband of Tinubuโ€™s first daughter, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, the Iyaloja General of Lagos State. He is a businessman but majors in Oil and Gas sector.

The Ekiti-born politician and a graduate with a Diploma in  Journalismโ€™ is one of the founders of South-West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA).

Politically, he had represented Ijero/Efon/Ekiti West constituency of Ekiti State in the House of representatives in 2011.

 

(5) BOSUN OLADELE

Bosun Oladele is a politician and a lawyer. He is the Principal Partner/Chief Executive Officer of Oladele & Oladele Solicitors, Lagos. The Oyo-born politician attended St. Agnes College of Education, Oyo before he later moved to Obafemi Awolowo University where he studied law. Oladele, a die-hard progressive saw the party through its transformation from AD to Action Congress (AC) and later Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Politically, he first served as Governor Abiola Ajimobiโ€™s first Commissioner for Information and Orientation in Oyo State. Oladele later contested for an elective position and became a Federal Lawmaker Representing Irepo/Olorunsogo/Oorelope Federal Constituency of Oyo State in the House of Representatives in 2015.

 

(6) IFEDAYO ABEGUNDE

Ifedayo Abegunde is a top politician. The Ondo-born politician and engineer is one of the founders of South-West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA). Findings revealed that Abegunde spent a larger part of his life in United States where he attended Morgan State University.

He acted as the Secretary of the National Democratic Coalition NADECO. Abegunde was first, elected in 2003 as a member of House of Representatives representing Akure North and South federal constituency from 2003 to 2007. Abegunde was reelected as a federal lawmaker in 2011 where he served as Chairman of the house committee on Emergency and risk management.

In 2017, Abegunde was appointed as the Secretary to the state government by Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu. He resigned as SSG in 2020 after he showed interest to contest in the Ondo governorship election.

 

(7) HON. ROTIMI MIKHAIL MAKINDE

Hon. Rotimi Makinde is a top politician, actor, hotelier and proud owner of Odua 90.9fm. The Osun-born grassroot politician and a graduate of accountancy is one of the founders of South-West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA).

He started his formal education at Ansar Ud-Deen Primary School, Isale โ€“ Agbara, Ile Ife in 1976. He attended Okuu Grammar School, Okuu-Omoni, Ile Ife in 1983. He later proceeded to Government Teachersโ€™ Training College, Sokoto and obtained his Ordinary Level Certificate. He gained admission to Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi where he obtained his National Diploma (ND) in Accountancy in 1989.

He later went to Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin for his HND (Higher National Diploma) and possessed the certificate, HND in Accountancy in 1998. As a man who values education, he proceeded to Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso and obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Accountancy in 2006. He didnโ€™t stop there but went back to the same institution (Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso) for his Masters program and got a Masterโ€™s degree in Finance (MBA), 2008. Makinde worked at NNPC (Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation) for 20years before he later joined politics.

Rotimi Makinde is one of the early lieutenants of former governor of Osun State and now Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola. Findings revealed that he was among early politicians who followed Aregbesola from Lagos to Osun State in 2006. While Aregbesola contested for Governor, he contested for a seat in the House of Representatives, Ife Federal Constituency in 2007 and both lost the election. In 2011, he recontested for the same seat and he was declared winner.

(8) MONSURU ALAO OWOLABI

Monsuru Alao is a politician and crony of Pres. Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The Lagos-born grassroots politician and a graduate of UNILAG diploma is one of the founders of South-West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA).

Monsuru Alao Owolabi started his political sojourn in early 90s and became a member representing Lagos Island in the House of Representatives in 1999. He held the position for four consecutive times but he was politically kicked out in 2015 following agitations from party members and constituents.

 

(9) ISIAQ ABIODUN AKINLADE

Isiaq Abiodun Akinlade is a top Ogun politician. The Ogun-born politician is one of the founders of South-West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA).

In 2015, Adekunle Abiodun Akinlade contested the House of Representatives seat and won. He represents Egbado South and Ipokia federal constituency in the House of Representatives in the national assembly.

 

(10) AYO OMIDIRAN

 

Ayo Hulayat Omidiran is a female politician and unrepentant lover of football. The Osun-born female politician and a graduate of Biochemistry at the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria is one of the founders of South-West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA). She is also among early lieutenants and in-law to former Governor of Osun State and now Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola.

She contested for the Federal House of Representatives for Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan Federal Constituency in 2011 and was elected. She ran for re-election in 2015 and was re-elected under the umbrella of the APC.

 

(11) OLORUNTOBA OKE

Oloruntoba Adetunji Oke is a popular politician and media practitioner who has a working experience with Punch Newspaper, AIT television and Raypower. The Ogun-born grassroots politician and MAPOLY graduate is one of the founders of South-West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA).

Oke, joined Politics under the Awo Youth Vanguard between 1978 โ€“ 1983. He joined Social Democratic Party (SDP) during the third Republic, he also held several positions including Ward B Secretary.

He formed the New Millennium Forum (NMF) which later metamorphosed into Hope Alive Group within AD, AC, ACN, and now APC with the sole aim of correcting anomalies in the polity.

Oke won Ifako/Ijaye Local Government Chairmanship poll in 2011 for this first term tenure and in 2017. He got reelected for his second term; This has never been experienced since the creation of the Local Government in 1996.

 

(12) KAFILAT ADETOLA OGBARA

Kafilat Adetola Ogbara is a female politician and media practitioner who majors in both print and broadcast. The Ogun State-born politician and graduate of English language and literature from the University of Lagos is one of the founders of South West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA). She is now a Federal lawmaker representing Kosofe.

Kafilat Ogbara was the House of Representative Candidate (PDP) for Elections in Kosofe Federal Constituency in 2003 and 2007 respectively. She also contested the Gubernatorial Elections in 2011 in Ogun State.

She was a member of different Gubernatorial and Presidential Campaigns in Nigeria. She worked as a Special Assistant on Trade and Investment and Technical Aid Corps at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2011-2013.

 

(13) KOLA PEREGRINO

Kola Peregrino is a top politician and a chieftain of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC). The Lagos-born politician is one of the founders of South West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA). He is also the General Manager of the Lagos State Printing Corporation.

 

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