Profile of Oyelola Yisa Ashiru, new Senate Deputy Leader

Oyelola Yisa Ashiru, born on 14 June 1955 in Offa, Kwara State, Nigeria, is a distinguished architect, astute businessman, and respected politician. He currently serves as a Senator representing Kwara South Senatorial District in the 9th Senate of Nigeria. Aside from his political endeavors, Ashiru is the Chief Executive Officer of Capital Projects Limited, a reputable real estate firm with branches spread across Lagos, Abuja, and other West African countries.

Early Life and Education: Ashiru’s educational journey began at Iyeru Okin Primary School in Offa, Kwara State, and continued at Esie Iludun Anglican Grammar School in 1968. He completed his secondary education at Federal Government College, Sokoto, in 1974, demonstrating early academic excellence. He then pursued higher education in environmental design and architecture at the University of Lagos, graduating in 1980.

Political Career: Venturing into the political arena, Ashiru declared his intention to run as Senator for Kwara South Senatorial District in the 2019 Nigerian general election under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Notably, he had previously made attempts in the political sphere. In a strategic move, Ashiru and other PDP members in Kwara State defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in August 2018, aligning with the goal of opposing the Bukola Saraki dynasty, which they deemed to have poorly administered Kwara state for 16 years.

In the APC primary election, Ashiru emerged victorious, securing the senatorial ticket. Subsequently, during the senatorial election on 23 February 2019, he triumphed with an impressive vote count of 89,704, defeating the incumbent Adebayo Rafiu Ibrahim of the PDP. Post-inauguration into the 9th Senate on 11 June 2019, he assumed significant roles as the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Housing and Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Procurement from 29 July 2019.

Assassination Attempt: Ashiru faced a perilous moment in his political journey during a campaign tour to Ojoku in the Oyun area of Kwara state on 20 February 2019. He and his supporters were attacked, and the APC alleged that two of its members were shot dead by assailants purportedly loyal to the PDP. The incident occurred in Ojoku, the hometown of Adebayo Rafiu Ibrahim, his opponent for the Kwara South senatorial seat in the 2019 Nigerian general election. The situation escalated when Adebayo Rafiu Ibrahim, the incumbent senator, was arrested on 22 February 2019 in connection to the attack on Ashiru and his supporters.

Oyelola Yisa Ashiru continues to navigate the complex realm of Nigerian politics, leaving an indelible mark as an architect, businessman, and advocate for the people of Kwara South Senatorial District.