By : S.T.Abiodun.
When Alhaji Bashir Aderemi Omotoso, fondly called BAO, told me sometime in March 2026, that he is now into partisan Politics and that he would be contesting during next year’s elections,I received the information with disbelief.
Not because he is not eminently qualified to do so,but because, all these while, I have been of the opinion that he doesn’t perfectly fit into the description of a politician, at least, in the Nigerian contest which, most times, is characterised by dirty and shady practices.
After our conversation, I confirmed his readiness and level of preparedness. No doubt, he had gone a bit far in the ambition.
By the time we spoke, consultations had been widely held and concluded with both his immediate and extended family members,notable and influential personalities in Awotan/ Apete Community of Ido Local Government Area of Oyo state where he resides.
Critical stakeholders and the people of Ido/ Ibarapa East Federal Constituency, including religious and traditional leaders in the areas,have not been left behind, either.
He has also had fruitful and encouraging engagements with old and new friends, old school mates, serving and retired professional colleagues,various social/ cultural/ religious groups he belongs to, and of course, the very many other interest Associations he has identified with, over the years.
I prayed for him in my own way and offered pieces of advice I should give to a friend / colleague of over 30 years standing and still counting.
Alhaji Bashir Aderemi Omotoso and I, worked closely together at Radio Nigeria Ibadan, where we retired about the same time after attaining top level positions in our chosen career of Journalism.
We related very well, even up to family level.
Alhaji BAO impacted Immensely on the News And Current Affairs Department of Radio Nigeria and the Journalism profession he loves so much.
Rising through the ranks,BAO served as a good mentor to many and showed immutable leadership qualities wherever he worked.
I call him “My Chairman ” because he was a former Chairman of Radio Nigeria Ibadan Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ,and later as Chairman of the ever vibrant and powerful Correspondents’ Chapel of the Union in far away Asaba, the Delta state capital.
His legacies endure, till date.
As a Unionist/ Comrade,he was/ is bold,firm,fearless, God fearing with interest and love for the welfare of his members.
As Editor/ Reporter/ Current Affairs Officer at different times in Radio Nigeria Ibadan,BAO was a thorough bred professional.
A reliable and dependable leader of all time , a devout but not a fanatical Muslim.Loyal, dedicated and patriotic to a fault.
A trusted friend to me and some others in our days in Radio Nigeria, Alhaji Omotoso is disciplined, straight forward, easy going,humble, focused, a goal getter and a no nonsense man endowed with native intelligence.
He was truly a father figure to younger Officers and was well loved by many.
Honourable BAO that I speak about,is a complete and responsible family man in the home front. A father worthy of emulation.
During his tenure as General Manager of Premier FM , Ibadan, Oyo State and Choice FM, Ota, Ogun state, his records of achievements are available for checks and for posterity.
I stake my reputation and integrity to humbly recommend this my bosom friend : Alhaji Bashir Aderemi Omotoso to ACCORD and the good people of Ido/ Ibarapa East Federal Constituency in the next National Assembly.You will not regret it.
He has chosen ACCORD as the political party of choice.
This is after weighing and putting all indices and variables side by side.
He had said to me and on a Live Interview programme on Pensioners FM, Agbarigo, Ibadan, that ACCORD stands for progress, peace, posterity, good governance and welfare of the masses.
He vowed during the Radio interview that he would serve with all his abilities to provide good representation to the people of the 20 wards in the federal Constituency.
The ever smiling and ever calm BAO declared that Politics is not a dirty game after all. He said those who are already deep in it probably are the ones discouraging good and Godly people from venturing into it hence the negative tag and impression: “Politics is a dirty game.”
Omotoso detests those he called professional politicians who absolutely make Politics their only source of income. Rather, he advocates professionals in politics as the way forward and option for a better Nigeria.
Everywhere he goes, BAO preaches the Gospel of ACCORD to the people of Oyo State in general, and people of Ido/ Ibarapa East Federal Constituency, in particular to make ACCORD their choice in order to enjoy good representation in the next dispensation.
Born over 60 years ago to the large and famous Ela family in Ela village of Ido Local Government of Oyo State, BAO is the sure bet for the Federal Constituency.
Through this piece,I commend other Journalists and Professionals in Politics.
My mind goes to the likes of a former National President of NUJ Senator Smart Adeyemi, a former Chairman of Oyo State Council of the Union,Barrister Wale Ojo-Lanre, a former CPS to the late former Governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Lam Adesina in person of Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan, to mention but few.
I hope that when the time comes, Journalists in Oyo State will rally round their own in any way possible.
Also, I do hope that ” my Chairman ” who I now call ” Honourable ” from the very first day he told me of his ambition, will be called and addressed as [ MHR] meaning Member, House of Representatives.
The decision of distinguished members of ACCORD in Oyo State in few days time and the final stamping by the people of Ido/ Ibarapa East Federal Constituency,through their votes in the 2027 elections,will make that possible.
BAO: Ido / Ibarapa East N Pe O.
Asiwaju(Prince) S.T.Abiodun writes from Ibadan.
stabiodun93@gmail.com