THE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, on Friday, announced its consensus candidates for all Chairmanship and Councillorship seats to be contested for in the May 12 local government elections in the state.
The list of the selected candidates was reeled out by Secretary of the Oyo-APC, Mr Mojeed Olaoya, in the presence of the Governor, Abiola Ajimobi; party Chairman, Chief Akin Oke; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Honourable Michael Adeyemo; party executives and members from state to local and ward levels.
Some of the selected Chairmanship candidates are: Adekunle Oladeji, Aare Latosa LCDA; Eyitayo Olakunle, Araromi LCDA; Adeniyi Aderemi, Afijio LG; Kareem Adegoke, Asabari LCDA; Bosun Ajuwon, Ibadan North West LG; Bimbola Omiyale, Ibadan South East LG; Adeleke Taoreed, Ibadan South West LG; Adeleke Raji, Ibarapa East; Wahab Oladejo, Ido LG; Egunjobi Samuel, Iganna LCDA; Olamijuwonlo Alao Akala, Ogbomoso North LG; Ogundele Buniaminu, Ona Ara LG; Ibrahim Gbodeniyi, Surulere LG.
Just before the names were reeled out, Ajimobi said the party’s toed the line of selecting its candidates through indirect primaries as enshrined in section 20A, subsection 1,2,3,4 of the APC’s constitution.
He said the party failed to subscribe to conducting direct primaries owing to rancour, brigandage that usually greeted party primaries.
Speaking further, Ajimobi explained that the selected candidates were drawn from a list of three candidates per local government or local council development area submitted by their respective party leaders, elders and executives.
Noting that over 1000 names were screened, Ajimobi avowed that the final list of candidates was devoid of undue favouritism and hatred.
Though he noted that there may be some discontent, misgivings among some party members regarding the select candidates, Ajimobi urged members to uphold peace, unity and fear of God as supreme in the party.
He avowed that the party would have a clean sweep of the LG polls when it is conducted, noting that the opposition was virtually non-existent in the state.
Speaking with journalists after the process, Ajimobi said, “Party primaries have always been rancorous. In our own case, it was very Dapchi girls: Anyone who makes political capital from abduction will be sanctioned ―Buhari. We conducted it in line with section 20A, subsection 1,2,3,4 which clearly states that the party can have direct and indirect primaries.
“We had indirect primaries which state that when you have elected members of the party from the ward to the various levels you can have them as a collegiate group and they become the delegate to participate and vote at a designated location for candidates of their choice.
“We have been able to bring all elected party members together and had a consensus where we listed the names. We asked if they supported and you can see that everybody was very happy. We had consensus candidates, no imposition.
“We are happy that we took the right steps that should have been taken. We conducted everybody; party leaders, youths, women and had consensus candidates. I think this is the best party primaries I have seen in my life.”
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