The re-election bid of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has suffered a major setback as a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, led by former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, endorsed the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji ahead of the August 15, governorship election.
Oyinlola, while speaking at the event held in Osogbo on Sunday, stated that his group decided to part ways with the incumbent administration of Adeleke due to a lack of inclusion in his handling of government affairs.
The former governor who was joined by a former Secretary to State Government, Mr Fatai Akinbade; former PDP National Vice Chairman, South-West, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo, however, declared that the group would not dump the PDP.
Oyinlola described the endorsement of Oyebamiji as a sincere desire to advance the cause of the state in the interest of all and sundry.
He said that the leadership and members of the group would vote massively for the emergence of Oyebamiji.
“One of the major issues that have created this unfortunate situation, in our considered view, is the lack of inclusiveness in the governance of our state.
“We believed in that project. We mobilised our people for it. We invested time, energy and political capital in it because we believed that it represented the aspirations of our people.
“Unfortunately, along the line, things began to fall apart, and one of the major issues that have created this unfortunate situation, in our considered view, is the lack of inclusiveness in the governance of our dear state.
“We believe strongly that no party or government can succeed sustainably when it does not carry its people and leaders along.
“It is on this basis that we have resolved to officially declare our support for Mr Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC),” Oyinlola said.
He urged Oyebamiji to focus on good governance, economic development, infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, youth empowerment and the creation of opportunities for our people.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, expressed delight in the decision taken by the leadership and members of the group.
He described Oyinlola as a grassroots politician and national figure whose political antecedents and track records could not be underestimated.
Oyetola called on the people of the state to remain resolute and peaceful, saying “the victory is ours by the grace of God”
Responding, Oyebamiji said: “This assignment has been made easy for me. We have been to all the local government areas in Osun State about three times, and I was warmly received on each occasion.”
He expressed his readiness to run an inclusive government if elected governor.
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