Teslim Kolawole Folarin OFR (; born 30 October 1963) is a Nigerian politician,[1] he was the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State for the 2023 gubernatorial election which he lost to the incumbent governor Seyi Makinde.[2] He previously served as the senator representing Oyo Central senatorial district from 2003 to 2011; and from 2019 to 2023.
Teslim Folarin | |
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![]() Folarin in 2014 | |
Senator for Oyo Central | |
In office 11 June 2019 – 11 June 2023 | |
Preceded by | Monsurat Sunmonu |
Succeeded by | Yunus Akintunde |
In office 3 June 2003 – 6 June 2011 | |
Preceded by | Lekan Balogun |
Succeeded by | Ayoade Ademola Adeseun |
Personal details | |
Born | Ibadan, Western Region (now in Oyo State), Nigeria | 30 October 1963
Political party | All Progressive Congress (2017–present) |
Other political affiliations | Peoples Democratic Party (1998–2017) |
Spouse |
Angela Folarin (died 2022) |
Education | Methodist Boys High School |
Alma mater | University of Ibadan (B.Sc. (Hons)) Harvard University |
Occupation | Politician |
Early life and education
editTeslim Kolawole Folarin was born on 30 October 1963, to Alhaji and Alhaja Hamzat Folarin. He stemmed from Baale House in Oja Igbo area of Ibadan North-East Local Government area of Oyo State. Folarin is the Head (Mogaji) of his family House and a ranked traditional Chief in Ibadanland. He is the Laguna Olubadan of Ibadanland.[3]
Folarin attended primary school in Lagos; his secondary education was completed at Nigeria's premier secondary school, Methodist Boys High School. Folarin holds a B.Sc. (Hons) degree in political science from the University of Ibadan[4] and a diploma degree from Harvard University,[citation needed] USA. He spent some years gathering valuable civil service experience in the UK, including management roles at the Department of Trade[citation needed] in London before returning to Nigeria in 2002. Folarin performed his obligatory NYSC tenure in Kaduna and joined politics thereafter.[3]
Political career
editFolarin contested and won the senatorial seat to represent Oyo Central in 2003 at the age of 39 on the platform of the PDP and was re-elected for a second term in 2007 on the platform of the same party. Folarin remains the only legislator in Oyo State who has served two terms at the Senate. At the Senate, he was appointed Leader of the Senate. Folarin also served on the Senate Committee on Business & Rules, Marines and Transport although his particular interests were in education, power supply and water resources. Folarin was involved in the Power probe in 2008. As the Leader of the Senate, he led debates on all Executives Bills and sponsored several private Bills himself.[5] These included the Insurance Act, Armed Forces Pension Act and several others.
Folarin won the gubernatorial ticket of his party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2014.[6] He lost the election to the incumbent Governor Senator Abiola Ajimobi of the All Progressives Congress.
Folarin defected to the opposition party All Progressives Congress in December 2017.[7]
Folarin was elected as the All Progressives Congress (APC) Oyo Central senatorial candidate in September 2018.[8]
Folarin won the senatorial position in the 2019 Oyo central senatorial district election defeating the incumbent senator, Mrs. Monsurat Sunmonu and other candidates.[9] He is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content in the 9th Senate. He also sits on several other committees including National Intelligence, INEC, Interparliamentary, Constitutional Review, Finance, Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) and Airforce.
Folarin contested in the 2023 Oyo State gubernatorial election on the platform of All Progressives Congress but lost to the incumbent Governor Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).[10]
Conroversy
editIn 2011, Folarin, and three others were charged with a murder of a trade union activist Lateef Salako.[11]
Personal life
editFolarin was married to Barr. Angela Folarin until her death in 2022, they had children.[12][1][13]
References
edit- ^ a b c Badru, Adeola (28 January 2022). "Oyo senator, Teslim Folarin, loses wife". Vanguard. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ "Teslim Folarin emerges Oyo APC governorship candidate". Premium Times. 28 May 2022. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
- ^ a b "Just Believe 2015 :: Senator (Oloye) Teslim Kolawole Folarin for Governor, Oyo State, Nigeria". Archived from the original on 20 May 2015. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
- ^ "Folarin to deliver 2021 UI alumni lecture, to be honoured with award of excellence". Vanguard. 27 August 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
- ^ "Who is Afraid of Senator Teslim Folarin?". Leadership. Archived from the original on 1 December 2014. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
- ^ Lawal, Iyabo (26 January 2015). "PDP leaders mobilise support for Jonathan, Folarin in Oyo". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ Wande, S-Davies (13 December 2017). "'Mother of all defections': Alao-Akala, Folarin, Adigun, Arapaja, others officially join APC in Oyo". Nigerian Tribune. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ Babatunde, Aishat (25 February 2019). "Teslim Folarin Wins Oyo Central Senatorial Seat". Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ Adebayo, Musliudeen (25 February 2019). "Ex-Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin wins Oyo central senatorial seat". Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ "Inec declare Seyi Makinde as winner of Oyo state govnorship election". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- ^ "Nigeria Senate leader Teslim Folarin on murder charge". BBC News. 5 January 2011. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ "Teslim Folarin Remembers Late Wife, Angela, on Her 50th Posthumous Birthday". This Day. 28 July 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024 – via PressReader.
- ^ Adeniran, Dare (21 May 2017). "Many People Don't Know I WEas Born & Bred in Ibadan - Senator's Teslim Folarin Wife, Angela". City People Magazine.