Oyelola Yisa Ashiru (born 14 June 1955) is a Nigerian architect and politician, who was elected as a senator to represent Kwara South Senatorial District in the 9th Senate.[1][2] He is the Chief Executive Officer of Capital Projects Limited, a real estate firm, with branches in Lagos, Abuja and other West African countries.
Lola Ashiru | |
|---|---|
| Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from Kwara South Senatorial District | |
| Assumed office 11 June 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Oyelola Yisa Ashiru 14 June 1955 |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Political party | All Progressives Congress |
| Other political affiliations | People's Democratic Party (until 2018) |
| Occupation | Architect, politician |
Early life and education
editAshiru was born on 14 June 1955, in Offa, Kwara State, Nigeria. He attended Iyeru okin primary school, Offa, before proceeding to Esie Iludun Anglican Grammar School in 1968. He completed his secondary education at Federal Government College, Sokoto, in 1974, and later studied environmental design and architecture at the University of Lagos where he graduated in 1980.
Political career
editHaving run for office on multiple occasions in 2018, Ashiru declared his intention to run as Senator of Kwara South senatorial district in the 2019 Nigerian general election, on the political platform of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).[3]
In August 2018, PDP members in Kwara State, including Lola Ashiru, decamped to All Progressives Congress (APC) in order to campaign against the dynasty of Bukola Saraki, who he accused of poorly administering Kwara state previously, for 16 years.[4]
In the APC primary election, Ashiru won the senatorial ticket, after defeating Suleiman Ajadi and many others. On 23 February 2019, Ashiru won the senatorial election with 89,704 votes, defeating incumbent Adebayo Rafiu Ibrahim of PDP, who polled 45,175.[5]
After his inauguration into the 9th Senate on 11 June 2019, he was appointed the Vice Chairman Senate Committee on Housing[6][7] and Vice Chairman Senate Committee on Public Procurement on 29 July 2019.[8]
Assassination attempt
editDuring a campaign tour to Ojoku in the Oyun area of Kwara state on 20 February 2019, Ashiru and his supporters were attacked and APC alleged that two of its members were shot dead by attackers loyal to the PDP.[9]
Ojoku is the home town of Adebayo Rafiu Ibrahim, who was contesting the Kwara south senatorial seat in the 2019 Nigerian general election. On 22 February 2019, Adebayo Rafiu Ibrahim, the incumbent senator of Kwara south was arrested in connection to the attack on Ashiru and his supporters.[10]
References
edit- ^ "APC crisis: Kwara senators back gov, say AbdulRasaq only recognised party leader". Punch Newspapers. 10 July 2021. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
- ^ "Kwara voters ready to liberate themselves, says Senator-elect Ashiru - The Nation Newspaper". thenationonlineng.net. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
- ^ "10 Kwara South senatorial aspirants battle seat with governor". Tribune Online. 8 September 2018. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
- ^ Ahmad, Romoke W. (2 August 2018). "Kwara PDP members decamp to APC". Daily Trust. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
- ^ "APC's Ashiru garners 89, 704 votes to win Kwara South Senatorial election". Daily Trust. 24 February 2019. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
- ^ Tomori, Abdulfatai (13 June 2022). "Senator Oyelola Ashiru: Ode to a Sower of Seeds @67". Factual Times. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
- ^ "UPDATED: Lawan names Senate committee chairpersons (FULL LIST)". 30 July 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
- ^ Tomori, Abdulfatai (13 June 2022). "Senator Oyelola Ashiru: Ode to a Sower of Seeds @67". Factual Times. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
- ^ Ahmad, Romoke W. (20 February 2019). "Two die as APC Senatorial candidate escapes assassination in Kwara". Daily Trust. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
- ^ "Senator being detained for alleged murder — Police". Vanguard News. 22 February 2019. Retrieved 12 June 2019.