Professor Joseph Adeniyi Olowofela, a former Chairman of Ido Local Government, Oyo State Commissioner for Education from 2016 to 2019, and currently the Federal Character Commissioner representing Oyo State, has dismissed the newly formed African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu’s administration and re-election bid in 2027, describing it as a political confusion destined to collapse.
In an exclusive interview, the seasoned academic and grassroots politician argued that Tinubu’s presidency follows a political pattern rooted in Nigeria’s democratic history. According to him, every president since the inception of the Fourth Republic has served two terms, and Tinubu will not be an exception. He described attempts to stop Tinubu’s second term as a disruption of Nigeria’s “natural political order.”
He insisted that despite the ongoing economic hardship, Tinubu has shown strategic leadership, inherited a struggling economy, and is steadily restoring order. “He has done well. He’s a workaholic, building bridges and uniting even unlikely political actors. He’s building APC while others are busy dismantling their platforms in confusion. If an election were held today, APC would still come first. PDP may not even come second. It could be ADC or Labour Party. That’s how much damage they’re doing to themselves,” he said.
Olowofela believes that under Tinubu’s leadership, APC will win at least 30 out of the 36 states by the 2027 elections. He praised the President for increasing allocations to state and local governments, describing the monthly disbursements as four times what they used to be. “If people say there is hunger, they should ask their governors. What are they doing with the money? The President has provided the enabling structure, including student loan schemes for higher education. Governors must do their part,” he said.
When asked about who should become the next governor of Oyo State, Olowofela emphasized party loyalty and the need to rally behind whoever emerges as APC’s candidate. While expressing preference for candidates from his Ido Local Government like Niyi Akintola (SAN), Remi Oseni, and others, he acknowledged the political strength of other aspirants such as Adebayo Adelabu, whom he described as holding the highest political position from Oyo State in the federal cabinet, and Akeem Agbaje. “We have competent gladiators. At the end of the day, the party must be united behind its flagbearer to reclaim Oyo State,” he said.
Reflecting on his time in public service, Olowofela gave glowing tribute to the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, under whom he served. He referred to Ajimobi as “the father of modern politics in Oyo State,” saying that he laid a long-term development roadmap for the state. He highlighted Ajimobi’s impact on education, infrastructure, and security, particularly citing the school governing board model, the establishment of the Technical University, and the Operation Burst initiative which improved security and attracted investments. “Ajimobi touched every strategic sector in Oyo. He had a vision, and he executed it with precision. Many schools were renovated or newly constructed, and the environment of the state was transformed,” he stated.
He noted that Governor Seyi Makinde started his administration by trying to dismantle Ajimobi’s legacies but has since adjusted and is now focused more on governance. “To a large extent, he’s now following the same roadmap. At first, he was driven by politics, but today, I believe he’s more policy-driven.”
As a former local government chairman, Olowofela is passionate about the potential of full local government autonomy. He said that if properly implemented, autonomy would lead to tangible development at the grassroots level. According to him, council chairmen are closer to the people than state governors and can drive progress if allowed to operate independently. “People complain that chairmen will steal, but I ask: isn’t it better to have 774 wealthy and empowered local chairmen who are accessible to the people than just 36 governors?,” he joked.
Comparing his tenure to the present local government system, Olowofela lamented that his era lacked the volume of allocations being received today. He recalled how local governments collaborated on joint projects such as buying sanitation trucks and agricultural equipment. “We were innovative, and we shared resources. If we had the kind of funds being allocated today, we would have done much more,” he noted.
On the lingering crisis within Oyo APC, Olowofela said internal struggles are part of politics, where ambitions naturally collide. He refused to name a single leader in the party but emphasized the importance of collective leadership. He mentioned Chief Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, Teslim Folarin, Bayo Adelabu, and the state’s three senators as potential coalition leaders that could guide the party to victory in 2027. “Everyone wants power for their faction or zone. That’s human nature. But in the end, only one person gets the ticket. Politics is about competition, but unity is key after primaries.”
Speaking on the appointment of Alhaji Olayide Abas as caretaker chairman of Oyo APC, Olowofela defended the choice, dismissing misconceptions about Abas’s competence. “He is a pharmacist. He’s educated, politically grounded, and has the experience. He deserves the role.”
Olowofela also gave insight into his work as a Federal Character Commissioner. He admitted he did not initially understand the agency’s mandate until he assumed office. “People think it’s about politics or sentiments. It’s about equitable access to federal employment and infrastructure. In terms of employment opportunities, I can say Oyo has done well under my watch. Every local government in the state has benefited.”
However, he criticized the commission’s performance in infrastructure distribution. “That aspect of our mandate is poorly understood and poorly implemented. That’s something we need to address in the future.”
Reflecting on his time as Commissioner for Education, Olowofela recalled implementing a tough but effective policy: the abolition of automatic promotion in secondary schools. “I reviewed 18 years of WAEC performance and saw a clear pattern, students were being promoted without merit. I introduced cut-off marks for progression between senior classes. It was controversial, but a year later, we had the best WAEC result in 18 years. That shows that sometimes leadership requires taking tough, unpopular decisions.”
He also lamented the rampant examination malpractice in Nigeria today, especially through social media leaks. “It has reached a dangerous level. Papers scheduled for days ahead are already online. That’s no longer an examination system. It must stop.”
On leadership and governance, Olowofela said effective leaders must be visionary, courageous, and surround themselves with the right team. “When I became Commissioner, I spent six months studying old files to understand the full picture of the ministry. You must understand the system you are meant to lead. Excuses are not acceptable. You must also identify people whether they are friends or not who have the expertise to help you achieve your goals.”
He recounted how, in his role as a Federal Character Commissioner, he created a platform to broadcast job opportunities to all interested residents of Oyo State, regardless of their party affiliation. “I never asked if you were APC, PDP, or APGA. If the opportunity was for our state, I shared it with everyone. Merit and timeliness were my only criteria.”
Speaking on his failed bid to represent his constituency at the House of Representatives in 2019, Olowofela said it was a learning moment. “I was arguably the best candidate, but I didn’t win. That experience taught me that being the most qualified doesn’t always translate into winning an election. Acceptability is important, but it’s not the only factor.”
Overall, Professor Olowofela’s reflections offer a deep look into the complexity of Nigerian politics, the challenges of leadership, and the opportunities available through principled public service. As the country inches closer to the 2027 elections, voices like his offer both insight and foresight into what the electorate can expect from leaders and institutions shaping Nigeria’s future.
