Race to Agodi Government House: Hakeem Alao riding on the back of bull

As is the case in other parts of the country, political space in Oyo State has pitched high with intense fever as citizens now count down to the ultimate political contest slated for February and March. The campaign trails of political parties at campaign rallies are long and the jamboree electrifying. Just as names of political parties (old and new) now ring bell like celebrated brides; names, appellation and slogans of candidates for different parties hang remarkably in the air.

The Alliance for Democracy, arguably one of the oldest political parties in the country since the advent of democracy in the country in 1999, is making a showing in the political turf once again with the entry of Engineer Oyedele Hakeem Alao into the governorship race in the pacesetter state. The party which was formed on September 9, 1998, had hitherto, suffered a dismal fate as a result of the leadership tussle between two stalwarts; Mojisola Akinfenwa and Adebisi Akande, former interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

However, today in Oyo State, the party and its governorship candidates are growing attractions perhaps because of their history and standpoints. While the AD advocates a strong and united Nigeria, Hakeem Alao expresses unwavering commitment to truth, selfless service, growth and development of the state.

The governorship candidate of AD in Oyo State could be described as a visionary who is pregnant with veritable ideas of transforming the state and its people using passion, resilience and education. He said he hoped that the people of the state would give him the opportunity to steer the ship of the state voting him in as the governor. And this explains his call that the electorate should ‘Allow Alao to serve them’.

The phrase, which was stylishly coined to sell the governorship candidature of the AD in the state is a simple strategy to call for support from voters. He said the coinage (Allow Alao) has stuck gleefully to him as sucking lice to a well-fed dog. Though, despite its status as one of the oldest political parties in the current democratic experience, its position today is certainly not in the forefront among the current array of political parties but the current fad carved for the party by its governorship candidate appears to be reawakening the waning party.

Engr. Alao is apparently saddled with tasks of building his party as well as appealing to the conscience and consciousness of the longsuffering people of the state to dump the usual fable of selling their mandate to moneybags with deep pockets. And despite the adventure that may underline the proverbial attempt to squeeze water out of a hard rock, the governorship hopeful expresses optimism that the end will justify the means for him. One of the key tools being deployed to garner support, apart from presenting the track-record of unsoiled integrity, is preaching the message of all-round redemption to the state and the resurging party.

Engr. Alao as a young element who is desirous of a better Oyo State is a new entrant in politics. An accomplished Structural Engineer with a career in the Oil and Gas industry and a record spanning over 25 years, Alao is the Chairman of Oceansalt Oil and Gas Engineering Limited, Lagos. Born in Ibadan on December 19, 1968, the AD candidate attended Ibadan City Council Primary School, Urban Day Grammar School and Loyola College, Ibadan for his elementary and secondary education before proceeding to the University of Lagos and University of Benin for his Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Civil Engineering and Structural Engineering respectively.

• Oil, gas sector generate $17.05 billion in 2016 ― NEITI

He worked in various capacities as Project Engineer, Facility Engineer and Project Manager in the oil sector in Nigeria before travelling overseas. In January 2004, he joined the Tebodin and Partners in the Sultanate of Oman and was later seconded to Petroleum Development of Oman as a Projects Construction Coordinator. He was recruited as a Senior Contract Analyst by the company in November 2006 and later promoted as Company Representative and then as the Head of Contract Services in 2015.

Lately, Alao expresses strong passion and commitment to the ideals of progressive politics, which he said, informed his choice of AD as a party. Apart from exuding burning passion to join leading teams, he said he also delights in nurturing crumbling venture to life. He expresses commitment to right the wrongs that have become endemic in politics saying things should be done in a better way bearing in mind fact that the interest of the people as well as the progress of the society are ultimate.  A thoroughbred Yorubaman with omoluabi trait, Alao typically reiterates the fact that welfarism is espoused by the offshoots of the current AD.

He always delights in pointing at the visible landmarks recorded under the administration of late Alhaji Lamidi Adesina, popularly called ‘Great Lam’ of the AD saying students in the political school of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, are arguably above board.

As an ardent believer in the political tenet of Chief Awolowo, he promised to use both human and non-human resources available to leapfrog the state to a pride of place if voted as the chief executive of the state in the coming election.

Aboluwade is a journalist with the Nigerian Tribune