Ajanaku dumps APC for ZLP, accuses irregularity in APC primaries

A business magnate and Chief Executive Officer, Dino Hotels, Otunba Rotimi Ajanaku, has said that the need to save his political career made him dump the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for a new party, Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) to realise his political ambition.

Ajanaku made this known at a press conference to officially declare for ZLP and contest for House of Representatives election for Ibadan North West/South West federal constituency seat in next year’s election.

According to Ajanaku who had secured the ticket of the ZLP to represent the constituency, it is in the bid to show his followers the right direction.

He revealed that he clearly defeated the current representative, Honourable Saheed Fijabi in the primaries, alleging that “over 21 votes were added in favour of the lawmaker by Mr Demola Seriki-led Electoral committee that supervised the primaries held on October 4, 2018.”

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Ajanaku who had lost the primaries to Fijabi in 2011, said the appeal panel was compelled to succumb to the intense pressure from the clique to disregard his appeal, adding that “In spite of my petition backed up with ample video evidence of the ‘robbery’, the powers-that-be influenced the appeal panel judgement.”

He added that “I decided to wait patiently for the panel’s verdict before calling for this press conference, I refrained from whatever may truncate the appeal process of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Now that the panel had taken a position, it is incumbent on me to inform the general public about what transpired, and my next line of actions.

“In view of persistent pressure from my supporters and electorates who are already tired of the member representing the federal constituency, I, Otunba Rotimi Ajanaku, has decided to run for the House of Representatives on the platform of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), since there is no provision for an independent candidacy.

“Although, it is a painful decision that needs to be taken, judging by my investment in the Progressives since the days of the Alliance for Democracy, (AD). However, I must save my political career from extinction. As an accomplished entrepreneur, my livelihood is not attached to politics, but I must consider the plight of my loyalists who have at different times put their lives on the line for my political pursuit. They should not labour in vain. I am strongly convinced of the victory by the grace of the almighty God.”