Aggrieved ADC governorship aspirants withdraw case against Lanlehin

Reprieve came for the governorship candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Oyo State, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, on Thursday, as aggrieved governorship aspirants, who are challenging his emergence in court, announced their discontinuance of the case and pledged to support his aspiration.

Two of the aggrieved aspirants, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja and Chief Lowo Obisesan, made the disclosure while speaking at the inauguration of Lanlehin campaign committee named Handshake Campaign Council at Jogor Centre, Ibadan.

Although the aggrieved aspirants who filed the case in court were 12 initially, three of them, Dr Kola Balogun, Dr Nureni Adeniran, and Mr Rauf Olaniyan, have since joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), leaving nine behind in ADC.

Five of the nine, Senator Gbenga Babalola; Chief Lowo Obisesan; Chief Oluseye Opatoki; Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; Honourable Wale Adegoke, attended the event where the declaration was made, explaining that decision to withdraw the case was taken by all of them.

The peace deal sealed the withdrawal of the case, Nigerian Tribune learnt, was brokered by a former governor of Osun State and national coordinator of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola after several meetings with the aspirants.

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Arapaja and Lowo said the decision to withdraw the case was borne out of their interest in the success of ADC at the polls as well as the gentlemanly disposition of Lanlehin whom they said they had nothing personal against.

“There is nothing like do-or-die in our own politics. All power belongs to God. The strife is over and the battle is done. In politics, we have oftentimes used consensus arrangement to select candidates. But the problem came when one of the leaders started playing hide and seek with us.

“We were bitter about the whole thing but not to the extent of going after each other’s life. Those of us who slugged it out with our brother, Senator Lanlehin, for the governorship ticket of ADC, have therefore discontinued with the case we instituted against the emergence of Senator Lanlehin

“Only bastards will not be angry the way we did and only bastards will shun entreaties when appealed to. I can assure you that all of us jointly took the decision to withdraw the case. We have decided to support our brother, Senator Lanlehin,” Arapaja said.

Speaking earlier, a former governor of Osun State and coordinator of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), expressed the hope that ADC would form the next government in the state judging by the formidability of the party and the quality of the candidates fielded.

Oyinlola charged ADC members to work hard and win the state, saying “it is when the party forms the next government of the state that there can be a gain for all members.”

He thanked the litigants for being magnanimous in withdrawing the case after “a lot of sleepless nights and meetings upon meetings,” adding that God had destined the governorship ticket for one person, even though many showed interest in it.