OYO State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi has revealed that all governorship aspirants under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state have his blessing to express their interests in contesting for gubernatorial ticket under the party, but was quick to add that he has no ‘anointed’ candidate among them.
Ajimobi who also informed party members that the leadership of the party in the state have been mandated to mobilize voters registration, manage intra-party conflict and make a choice of party primary to adopt, stated this while addressing members of the party at the Oyo South Senatorial district meeting held at Lafia hall, Lafia Hotel, Apata, Ibadan, on Monday.
He said “All aspirants took permission from me and I told them to go ahead, I don’t have anointed candidate. But if anybody has been telling you that I have anointed him, it’s a lie. I have no anointed candidate, all of them are qualified.
“They are coming out because our government has changed the face of politics in the state. Anyone who gets our party ticket will win the governorship election and other elections come 2019 as well.
“From the National headquarters of our party, we have been mandated to pick a candidate that can win election, I am not going to impose anyone, all aspirants are qualified certificate wise and able, but whoever that cannot purchase nomination form is not qualified.
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“I don’t crave for loyalty of whoever that will emerge as our party’s candidate but want them to be loyal to the masses and be God-fearing. I assure you, APC governorship candidate will emerge soonest.”
The governor further hinted that the party will soon invite all aspirants for a very robust discussion which will include major stakeholders in the party, members of the state executive.
On whether the party will adopt direct or indirect primary, Governor Ajimobi noted that this will be decided by the major stakeholders of the party in the state and in accordance with the party’s resolution.
He, however, assured party members that whichever one they eventually adopted, “things will go the way we want.” Earlier, Oyo South senatorial chairman, Prince Adefioye Adekanye said APC is still a party to beat in Oyo state. He added that the Senatorial district is planning a bigger rally any moment from now.
Also, there were situation reports from all Local government party chairmen from the all local governments that made the senatorial district. The serving senator from the senatorial district, Senator Soji Akanbi thanked the members, party leaders and the leader of the party, Senator Ajimobi for the unflinching support for him to excel as their representative at the Senate.
He said “We thank Almighty God for this wonderful day. It is always things of joy if we see ourselves and express heartfelt of joy. We should be doing this every month in order to showcase our party’s performances.”
The party chairman in the state, Chief Akin Oke also thanked the governor for the spearheading the successes recorded so far by the party.
He said, “What we are doing today makes me proud as the party chairman. Your presence validates my hope that our party, APC is intact, despite the blackmail that we have been reduced to zero.
“I also appreciate the aspirants for mobilising party members to this venue and for other party functions. In progressive, we don’t forget our benefactors, we are taking notes of those who are contributing to the success of our party at all levels.”
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