ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ALHAJI (CHIEF) HON. SAKA LAYONU

The late Alhaji (Chief) Hon. Saka Layonu was among the few budding politicians that rose to fame immediately after Nigeria attained its independence from the British Colonial Masters in 1960. His political career began in Abeokuta Grammar School, Abeokuta, his alma mater, when he was made the Secretary of the Zikist Movement, a nationalist group in the vanguard for Nigeria's independence.

In the elections that ushered in Nigeria as a parliamentary entity modeled after Westminster democracy, Chief Layonu was elected into the hallowed chamber of the Western Region Parliament as a Honourable Member representing Ede-Ejigbo North Constituency from 1960-1966.

Chief Layonu had also held political positions which boosted his clout as a formidable grassroots politician in Osun Division of Western Nigeria. He served as the Political Officer of the defunct National Council of Nigeria Citizens (NCNC). His party, the NCNC, again presented him as a candidate for election into Ede District Council Chairmanship election in 1962. Chief Saka Layonu was overwhelmingly elected and became the Chairman of Ede District Council.

The late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, National President of the defunct Action Group (AG) having discovered Hon. Layonu as a politician with intimidating 'electoral credentials' personally invited him to AG and appointed him as the AG Zonal Secretary (Osun Division) .

In 1963, Hon. Saka Layonu was appointed as the Minister of Economic Planning and Community Development by Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola the then Premier of Western Region. In the following year, he was redeployed to the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs as a Minister. He thus became the first illustrious son of Ede to appear in the 'World Map of Nigerian Politics' in the First Republic.

Alhaji Saka Layonu who also doubled as the Otun Are Omo Timi of Edeland and Agba-Akin of Ido Osun used his vintage position to bring good governance and dividends of democracy to the people of Osun generally, regardless of their social, political and economic leanings. Indeed, the truth must be told that Chief Layonu was a moving spirit behind the establishment General Hospital, Ede and Cocoa Industries, Ede.

He also secured Government Scholarships for brilliant but indigent students of Ede origin and others to study in higher institutions of learning in Nigeria and abroad.

Chief Layonu was indeed, an astute politician with a strong political base. He was a founding member of the defunct Nigeria National Democratic Party (NNDP). He was an executive member of the erstwhile Nigeria National Alliance (NNA) during the First Republic. He was a founding member of defunct Nigeria People's Party (NPP). He was a founding member and national scribe of the Great Nigeria Peoples Party (GNPP) and Governorship flag bearer of the party in the old Oyo State in the 1983 polls. He was also a member of Nigerian Political Observers Group for the United States of America Elections in 1982.
Chief Layonu was genuinely involved in the agitation for states creation that he was made the Secretary of the Central Yoruba State Movement in 1975. He was appointed by former President of Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, as member, Presidential Committee on States Creation in 1982.

Chief Layonu was a Honorary Citizen of Shelby County, Tennessee USA. He was a caring family man who was blessed with many children.