All the State governors in the Southwest Zone under the All Progressives Congress, APC, have endorsed the Majority leader of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Fagbabiamila for the Speaker of the House in the Ninth National Assembly.
Tribune Online gathered that this took place in Abuja on Tuesday night at a unity reception organised by the Ekiti State governor, Dr John Kayode Fayemi for both returning and new members of the House of Representatives from the six states in the zone across parties which more than 90 per cent of all the lawmakers from the region were in attendance.
Besides the host, Fayemi, other governors present at the occasion include Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Gboyega Oyetota (Osun), and Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), who was represented by Senator Teslim Folarin.
In addition, both the Lagos and Ogun states Governors-elect, Sanwo-Olu and Dapo Abiodun respectively were also present at the event.
According to a source close the meeting, the governors resolved to work in unionism and speak with one voice in ensuring victory for Gbajabiamila, describing the struggle for the Speakership race as a project for the region.
“Governor Fayemi did not mince words telling the members-elect and the returning members that Gbajabiamila’s candidacy is not for himself but for the Southwest and as such should try their best by reaching out to their colleagues from other geopolitical zones in the country to rally support for him.
“He told them that it was a national project that must be accomplished with a sincerity of purpose that would portray APC as a strong and cohesive party, with totally loyal members,” our source declared.
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Speaking with Tribune Online on the development, Hon Yemi Adaramodu, member-elect from Ekiti State who is also the Spokesman of the Femi Gbajabiamila Campaign Organisation disclosed that the meeting was a masterstroke that would not only convince members of the House but also change the course of the contest in favour of the choice of the party.
On his own, the Coordinator for the Campaign Organisation for Southwest, Hon Akeem Adeyemi disclosed that the main contender from the region, Hon Segun Odebunmi (Oyo) has finally aligned himself with the position of the party on the issue.
Hon Adeyemi, representing Afijo/Atiba/Oyo East & Oyo West Federal Constituency of Oyo State also said the support for Gbajabiamila cuts across the six geo-political zones of the country considering the declaration of support from different state governors and other stakeholders.
According to him, “as you can see, the presence of the entire governors and governors-elect from the region at this forum speaks volume, you can see members-elect on the platform of other political parties, that’s a sign of good omen.
“Their involvement is all about rallying us that Gbajabiamila’s candidacy is not only on merit but the wisest political choice which we from the zone should support and as well lobby our colleagues from other zones to embrace.
“Even one of us from the zone, Honourable Segun Odebunmi, I can tell you that he has finally aligned himself with the position of the party, he is on the same page with us as confirmed by himself at the meeting, so, there is nothing to fear about again because we are now going to the battlefield well prepared.
In a swift reaction, Gbajabiamila hailed the initiatives of the Southwest governors and his colleagues from the zone for coming up with the idea and expressed optimism that it would now be clear to the whole nation that the zone actually meant business.
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