15 political parties adopt Adelabu’s candidacy for Oyo gov

ENDORSEMENTS for the candidature of Chief Adebayo Adelabu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Saturday’s governorship election in Oyo State swelled on Thursday with a total of fifteen parties adopting Adelabu’s candidacy, in Ibadan.

While Save Nigeria Congress (SNC) led by its governorship candidate, Awolusi Olusegun, National Conscience Party (NCP) led by its governorship candidate, Mr Micheal Oloyade made their decision known while addressing journalists, a coalition of the 13 political parties in a March 6 letter addressed to state Chairman of APC, Chief Akin Oke expressed their decision to adopt the Adelabu.

Signatories in the March 6 letter included Mr Abimbola Azeez of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN); Otunba A. Fagbemi of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM); United Progressive Party (UPP), Hon Sunday Badejo; Grassroots Development Party of Nigeria (GDPN), Mr Abass Oladimeji; and Young Democratic Party (YDP), Mr Chris Ayanniyi.

Others are the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC), Hon Akin Adelekan; Independent Democrats (ID), Chief Wasiu Are; Mr Bolaji Olugbode of the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), as well as the chairmen of Mass Action Joint Alliance (MAJA), Nigeria Elements Progressive Party (NEPP), Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), Re-Build Nigeria Party (RBNP) and Democratic People’s Party (DPP).

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Speaking on its adoption, Awolusi of the SNC hinged its decision on its assessment of Adelabu boasting of distinguished character, integrity with an understanding of administration and financial prudence.

Speaking further on the party’s decision, Awolusi described Adelabu as a man of wisdom, skill, vision and passion for the continued growth and development of the State.

Awolusi also lauded Adelabu as a man imbued with the wisdom and skill to place Oyo state on the political forefront in the South West.

Speaking in the same vein, Oloyade of the NCP said the party queued behind Adelabu because of his perceived insight and capability to move the state forward, especially help abolish poverty.

Oloyade consequently assured of the party’s resolve to work for the success of Adelabu in Saturday’s election.

Responding to his endorsement, Adelabu affirmed his commitment to implementing programmes that will improve socioeconomic wellbeing of people of the state, if elected governor.

Meanwhile, former governor Adebayo Alao Akala, on Wednesday, called on residents of Ogbomoso to cast their vote for Adelabu of the APC, assuring them that they would not regret their alliance with the party if its Adelabu emerges victorious in Saturday’s election.

Also on the campaign trail were prominent leaders of Ogbomoso, including a former local government chairman, Chief Dayo Lawal and a Fourth Republic Senator, Gen Brimmo Yusuf (retd).

He had earlier visited the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi, in company with Adelabu and his running mate, Hon Samuel Egunjobi, where he said that his alliance with the APC was in the best interest of the city.

Speaking during Adelabu’s campaign in Ogbomoso, Alao Akala said he settled for the APC candidate based on what he called his superior credentials, track record, pedigree and ability to deliver on electioneering promises.

He said that the enormity of the task ahead had made it imperative for a coalition of interests and the coming together of political parties desirous of making an appreciable impact at the governorship election.

Alao-Akala said: “You know we are not new in this game of politics. I have carefully assessed the credentials of the people seeking my support and I have no equivocation in settling for Bayo Adelabu of the APC.

“My alliance with the APC for the governorship election is in our best interest in Ogbomoso. I have never misled you and I will not mislead you on this. The alliance will be of tremendous benefit to us. I have told the APC leadership, up to the national level, what Ogbomoso wants.

“I told them that the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology is our own heritage here. That the hospital needs attention and we want them to bring it up to the admirable standard we dreamt of it. Ilorin-Ogbomoso Road has suffered inexplicable neglect over the years and I have also secured assurances that it will receive the needed attention if the APC candidate wins.

“Therefore, I urge you to vote for Bayo Adelabu of the APC as governor on Saturday. We stand to gain a lot from an APC government at the state and national level. I’m not in this for myself but in the interest of Ogbomoso. “

Responding, Adelabu expressed gratitude to Alao-Akala for deeming him worthy of alliance ahead of the governorship election.

Describing the ex-governor in glowing attributes, he said his closeness with him had revealed him to be a committed and principled elder statesman, who was not driven by self-aggrandizement but for the larger interest of the state.

Noting that the Ilorin-Ogbomoso road was the gateway to the North, he promised to collaborate with the Federal Government to ensure its completion if he was elected as the governor of the State.