Osun 2018: APC nominates Benedict Olugboyega Alabi as Oyetola’s running mate

WITH less than 24 hours deadline given to political parties by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the substitution or removal of names of their candidates contesting in the September 22 governorship poll in Osun, the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress on Tuesday substituted the name of the running mate to its flag bearer with Benedict Olugboyega Alabi.

The party had few weeks back submitted the name of a lawmaker, representing Ijesa South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Ajibola Famurewa to INEC as the deputy governorship candidate to its standard bearer in the forthcoming election, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola.

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Famurewa’s names and credentials were sighted by Tribune Online in Form CF001 attached to the documents of the APC governorship candidate among the names of flag bearers of 48 political parties at the state secretariat of INEC.

But, credible sources within the APC in Osun informed our correspondent that the name and credentials of Famurewa have been substituted with that of Benedict Olugboyega Alabi, who was one of the gubernatorial aspirants that contested for the party’s ticket during the July 20 direct primary election won by Oyetola.

Confirming the development during a chat with Tribune Online in Osogbo, the director publicity, research and strategy of the APC in the state, Barrister Kunle Oyatomi said the emergence of Benedict Olugboyega Alabi “was the unanimous decision of Osun West leaders of the party.”

He affirmed that “I confirm wholeheartedly his nomination as the running mate to our governorship candidate.”