Oyo APC Primary: Imposition of unpopular candidate will be disastrous ― Shittu

AS the All Progressives Congress, (APC) party faithful go to the polls across the country tomorrow, to pick their governorship candidates, Communications Minister and axed Oyo State governorship aspirant, Barrister Adebayo Shittu has warned against the imposition of an unpopular candidate.

He made the remark yesterday during a live interview programme in an Ibadan based Radio station, Space FM.
Recall that the APC screening committee set up by the ruling party national secretariat has since disqualified the Minister of Communications in tomorrow’s race.

Others in the race for APC governorship ticket were former Oyo State governor, Otunba Adebayo Alao Akala, Project Director and Director at Integrated Energy Distribution And Marketing Limited, Dr Olusola Ayandele and legal luminary, Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN).

Other aspirants cleared were former Commissioner for Health, Dr Owolabi Babalola, a Senior Partner and Head of the Technology Advisory Services and Markets of KPMG Professional Services in Nigeria, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, Commissioner for Health, Dr Azeez Adeduntan and former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Adebayo Adelabu.

Honourable Shittu who alleged that Governor Isiaka Ajimobi was bent on imposing his anointed candidate on the party delegates further declared that the electorate and the aggrieved party chieftains would revolt with their votes against Governor Ajimobi’s choice at the general elections.

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Another aspirant who also featured on the programme, Chief Adeniyi Akintola, (SAN) insisted that he remained the most qualified candidate for the party ticket. The former Deputy Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly further noted that with the exception of former Oyo state governor, Otunba Adebayo Alao Akala, no other aspirant could match his pedigree.

He said: “I was given the opportunity to go to the Senate in 2015, but I declined. Akala was local government chairman before he became governor, Alhaji Lam Adesina and Senator Rasheed Ladoja were federal lawmakers. The same with the present governor, Abiola Ajimobi who was in the Senate before he became governor.

“I have been a deputy speaker. No one among the aspirants has my pedigree. Some people believe money can do it but I don’t think so.”

Akintola, however, faulted Honourable Shittu rejection of the indirect primary, as he submitted that the party constitution made provision for both direct, indirect primaries and the consensus option.

“The party took a decision on the mode, based on peculiarities of each state. The party constitution makes provision for three options. It is what the majority decided that I will follow. So, I am going to follow what we agreed on.”