There has been intense horse-trading over who emerges chairmanship candidate in Asa Local Government for the council elections slated to hold October 26. As at the last count, about 20 aspirants have shown interest in vying for the chairmanship seat. An appreciable number of these aspirants are political appointees, while a few numbers have resigned their appointments has directed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership in the state, many of them still hold on to the position as at the time of this report, thereby not complying with party’s directive. The front runners as well as the dark-horses in the chairmanship aspirants from various wards in the local government are featured by Peter Moses.

Agbona/Elebuwe/Fata ward
Aspirants from this ward are; Ramat Adeshina Abaya, Rasak Yahaya, Salah Olarewaju

Abaya is the serving Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development. Under the present administration, she had served as the Commissioner for Social Development, Culture and Tourism, but was later moved to the present ministry during a minor cabinet reshuffle by the State Governor. Abaya, who hails Agbona/Elebue/Fata ward, had served as Councillor representing the ward at the council. She had also served the Vice Chairman of the council and represented Owode/Onire constituency at the Kwara State House of Assembly between 2007 and 2011. An experienced female politician, Abaya is one of the aspirants eyeing the chairmanship seat. Though, she has not resigned her appointment, which could likely count against her. Despite this, Abaya is banking on her father’s political influence in the council area. Her father is Alhaji Jimoh Adeshina, the PDP Chairman for Kwara Central Senatorial District. If her father’s influence, which has consistently offered her political offices, is still at work, Abaya stands a better chance at clinching the party’s ticket preparatory to the main election.

However, it was not clear whether Yahaya, who an Electoral Officer (EO) in the council has resigned, but he (Yahaya) and Olarewaju are other chairmanship aspirants who could emerge dark-horses and spring surprise in the race.

Awe/Orimaro/Adigbongo ward
Barr Ibrahim Bello Alawaye and Alawaye Fatai Alabi are two chairmanship aspirants Awe/Orimaro/Adigbongo ward.

Alawaye is a legal practitioner holds LLB University of Ilorin. He is also a seasoned media practitioner. He’s a grassroots and experienced politician, who understands Asa politics and its dynamism. He is no doubt one of leading aspirants in the race.

Alabi is serving councillor representing his ward the council legislative arm. He is a new entrant in the race, but could, however, emerge dark horse.

Budo-Egba ward
Isiaka Labaika is a chairmanship aspirant from Budo-Egba ward. A banker by profession, Labaika had served as the Executive Chairman of the council. Again, he is the race to return to the sea he left some years back. Those in the know said Labaika is in the good book of the Speaker, Barr Rasak Atunwa, who is one of the strong stakeholders in the council.

Odo-Ode/ Aboto Ward 
Chairmanship aspirants from Odo-Ode /Aboto ward are; Adeshina Bello and Risikat Opakunle

Bello confirmed to National Pilot that he has tendered his resignation letter as a member of the Board of Kwara State Sports Council in compliance with directive of the state PDP. A grassroots and experienced politician, Bello had at various times served under ANPP and later as PDP Youth Leader at ward level in Asa local government. He was at the National Assembly between 2003 and 2007 when he served as a legislative aide. Bello is a grassroots mobiliser and he’s well-known for his simplicity in politics. Not less formidable, Bello is a political strategist and well grounded in Asa politics and beyond. He’s no doubt of the leading aspirants; also he’s counting on the supports of some stakeholders in the area.

Opakunle is one of the followers of the late strongman of Kwara politics, Dr Abubakar Olusola Saraki. She had served was PDP Chairman in Asa Local Government and also as Special Assistant Women Affairs to the former Governor. By her political pedigree, Opakunle is one of the formidable aspirants in the chairmanship race.

Alapa/ Onire/ Ode-Giwa ward
Chairmanship aspirants from this ward are; Engr Musa Yeketi, Saka Obalana, Engr Babatunde Dauda and Ayodele Adebayo.

Yeketi is a core grassroots politician and is a strong force in Asa politics. He had served as twice Chairman, Governing Council, Kwara State Polytechnic and at present, he is the Board Chairman, College of Education, Ilorin. He is a political strategist, who could contest for any position and come out victorious. As far as Asa political is concerned, though, a lone ranger, Yeketi’s political influence could not be ignored. He was an ardent follower of late Saraki when he was alive. Though as directed by PDP leadership, he has not resigned his appointment, Yeketi is an aspirant to beat in the chairmanship race; a formidable aspirant for that matter. If chairmanship candidate were to be chosen based on political experience and pedigree, Yeketi is eminently qualified.

Obalana is the present Vice Chairman in Asa Local Government had served as the Council’s Secretary. He is very popular among the youth in Onire district. Obalana is not less formidable in the chairmanship race.

Dauda, who is not an home based politician and Adebayo are other aspirants who could emerge dark horses and turn the table not minding the front row occupied by some aspirants.

Sosoki/Yowere ward
Two chairmanship aspirants from Sosoki/Yowere are; Fatah Sola Rahaman and Saka Akande

Rahaman is the Special Assistant (SUBEB) to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed. He is an experienced politician, who has been in the contest for the seat for quite number of times. He’s a closed ally of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Barr Rasak Atunwa, who hails from the council. Rahaman is one of the aspirants who have not resigned their appointments has directed by state PDP. However, he is one the aspirants who could likely emerge chairmanship candidate. 

Akande, who is thepioneer councillor, Sosoki/Yowere ward, is another aspirant who could emerge dark horse and spring surprise in the race.

Ila-Oja ward
Dr Mufutau Yahaya is the only chairmanship aspirant from Ila-Oja ward.

Yahaya, the incumbent chairman of Asa Local Government is seeking a returning ticket. He had served in the Special Adviser (Emergency and Relief Material) to the former Governor, Dr Bukola Saraki.  Yahaya is an experienced politician and very popular by virtue of his position. No doubt a formidable aspirant, the incumbent chairman knows the ‘powers that be’ in the local government and must have been dancing to their tone in order to secure his returning ticket.
 
Owode/Gbogun ward
Hon Duro Mohammed is also the only aspirant from Owode/Gbogun ward. Mohammed. He was a twice councillor (1990 to 1996) and also had served as a vice chairman in the council (1999). A grassroots politician, Mohammed represented Owode/Onire constituency in the Kwara State House of Assembly between 2003 and 2007. He lost his ambition of representing Asa/Ilorin West federal constituency in the last general election under Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN). At present, he’s a member of Kwara State Corporation Board, but has not resigned his appointment. Yet, Mohammed is also a formidable aspirant going by his political pedigree.
     
Laduba/Sapati/Abayawo/Ago ward
Wahab Lawal was the Vice Chairman and later Chairman of Asa local government. He has also served as chairman, PDP in the council. He’s another aspirant to watch in the chairmanship race.

Afon ward
Mashood Atanda is another chairmanship aspirant from Afon ward.