A Journalist’s Bold, Decisive and Patriotic Foray into the Murky Waters of Politics: The Stride of Alhaji Bashir Aderemi Omotoso

By S.T. Abiodun

When Alhaji Bashir Aderemi Omotoso, fondly called BAO, informed me in March 2026 of his decision to venture into partisan politics and contest in next year’s elections, I initially received the news with disbelief. Not because he lacks the requisite qualifications, but because I had always considered him an unlikely fit for the Nigerian political space, often characterised by questionable practices.

Following our discussion, I took steps to verify his resolve and level of preparedness. It became evident that he had made significant progress in pursuit of this ambition. By the time we spoke, he had concluded wide consultations with his immediate and extended family members, as well as notable and influential personalities in Awotan and Apete communities in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State, where he resides.

Critical stakeholders across the Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency, including religious and traditional leaders, were also carried along. In addition, he had engaged extensively with old and new friends, former schoolmates, serving and retired professional colleagues, and members of various social, cultural and religious groups, as well as other associations he has been part of over the years. These engagements were both fruitful and encouraging.

As a friend and colleague of over 30 years, I offered my prayers and shared candid advice with him.

Alhaji Bashir Aderemi Omotoso and I worked closely at Radio Nigeria Ibadan, where we both retired around the same period after attaining top positions in our journalism careers. Our relationship extended beyond the workplace to our families.

BAO made immense contributions to the News and Current Affairs Department of Radio Nigeria and to the journalism profession at large. Rising steadily through the ranks, he mentored many and demonstrated consistent leadership wherever he served.

I fondly refer to him as “My Chairman” due to his tenure as Chairman of the Radio Nigeria Ibadan Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, and later as Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel in Asaba, Delta State. His legacies in these roles remain enduring.

As a unionist, he was bold, firm, fearless and God fearing, with a deep commitment to the welfare of members. In his roles as Editor, Reporter and Current Affairs Officer at different times in Radio Nigeria Ibadan, BAO distinguished himself as a thoroughbred professional.

He is a reliable and dependable leader, a devout but not fanatical Muslim, loyal, dedicated and patriotic. To colleagues and friends, he is disciplined, straightforward, humble, focused and goal driven, with a no nonsense disposition and notable native intelligence. He served as a father figure to younger officers and earned widespread respect and admiration.

On the home front, the Honourable BAO I speak of is a responsible and exemplary family man, a father worthy of emulation.

During his tenure as General Manager of Premier FM Ibadan in Oyo State and Choice FM Ota in Ogun State, his records of achievement remain verifiable and preserved for posterity.

I stake my reputation and integrity to humbly recommend my bosom friend, Alhaji Bashir Aderemi Omotoso, to ACCORD and to the good people of Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency for the next National Assembly. He has chosen ACCORD as his party after carefully weighing all indices and variables.

In a live interview on Pensioners FM, Agbarigo, Ibadan, he stated that ACCORD represents progress, peace, posterity, good governance and the welfare of the masses. He also pledged to serve diligently and provide quality representation for the people across the 20 wards in the federal constituency.

The ever calm and cheerful BAO maintains that politics is not inherently dirty, arguing that those deeply entrenched in it may be responsible for discouraging credible individuals from participating, thereby reinforcing negative perceptions.

He strongly opposes the idea of career politicians who rely solely on politics for income. Instead, he advocates for the involvement of professionals in politics as a pathway to a better Nigeria.

Across Oyo State, particularly within Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency, BAO continues to promote the ideals of ACCORD, urging the people to embrace the party for effective representation in the next political dispensation.

Born over 60 years ago into the prominent Ela family of Ela village in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State, BAO stands as a strong contender for the federal constituency seat.

Through this piece, I also commend other journalists and professionals who have ventured into politics. Notable among them are former NUJ National President, Senator Smart Adeyemi; former Chairman of the Oyo State NUJ Council, Barrister Wale Ojo Lanre; and former Chief Press Secretary to the late Governor Lam Adesina, Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan, among others.

I hope that when the time comes, journalists in Oyo State will rally round one of their own in every possible way. I also look forward to the day when “My Chairman,” whom I now address as “Honourable” from the moment he declared his ambition, will officially bear the title MHR, Member of the House of Representatives.

The decision of distinguished members of ACCORD in Oyo State in the coming days, and ultimately the mandate of the people of Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency through the 2027 elections, will determine that outcome.

BAO: Ido/Ibarapa East N Pe O.

Asiwaju (Prince) S.T. Abiodun writes from Ibadan.

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