Ajanaku: Oyo ZLP Reps candidate returns to APC

ZENITH Labour Party (ZLP) candidate for House of Representatives for Ibadan North West/South West federal constituency, Oyo State, Otunba Rotimi Ajanaku has announced his return to his former party, All Progressives Congress (APC), two months after he left.

Ajanaku made this known during a press conference held at his Dino Hotel, Imalefalafia, Ibadan, on Sunday afternoon.

He disclosed that his decision was hinged on the decision of his followers, intervention of the governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and the gubernatorial candidate of the party, Chief Bayo Adelabu who he said made effort to ensure his return to the APC fold.

Ajanaku had sought to fly the flag of the APC, to represent Ibadan North West/ South West federal constituency of Oyo State, citing irregularities that denied him the ticket of the party. He noted that his decision to return is to boost the chance of the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Chief Adelabu’s chances for March 9 governorship election.

According to him, he would reconcile with outgoing incumbent Honourable Saheed Akinade-Fijabi if he wishes, adding that he waved behind him all that occurred during the electioneering process.

According to Ajanaku, “When I joined the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), after my unpalatable experience in the All Progressives Congress (APC), as I was denied the House of Representatives ticket, I emphasised that my supporters and loyalists are the determining factors in every political decision I take. I do not always decide without their consent. These people were severely embittered and they insisted that I must run on any available platform since there was no provision for an independent candidacy.

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“I reiterated that leaving the progressives bloc was a painful decision for me, judging by my investment and unquantifiable contribution since my foray into politics in the late 90s.

“The outcome of the last National Assembly elections showed that my political camp is a formidable force to reckon with in Ibadan Northwest/Southwest Federal Constituency. Though I didn’t win the election, the results of the election reflected our conspicuous absence in the APC.

“The timely and uncommon intervention of the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi unequivocally fast-tracked the whole process, through his assurances of immediate re-integration of my followers into the party hierarchy and other worthy considerations.

“Having consulted widely with the relevant stakeholders – the party hierarchy, public opinion leaders, supporters, loyalists and well-wishers, including the APC Governorship candidate, Chief Adebayo Adelabu ‘Penkelemesi’, who personally insisted on my comeback, I , Otunba Rotimi Ajanaku hereby
succumbed to the public pressure to return to All Progressives Congress (APC). This became necessary in order to support the Governorship and State Assembly Candidates of the party and to further brighten their chances at polls on Saturday, March 9, 2019.

“In view of this, I herewith direct my followers to start mobilising for the APC in their respective wards. Henceforth, all our campaign vehicles, billboards and other promotional materials should wear APC looks.

Ajanaku, however, expressed his appreciation to the former Governor of the State and the Leader of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, who he said “graciously provided the platform through which I was able to test my popularity.”