APC, PDP, SDP disagree over Ajimobi’s successor

Three  major parties  for the 2019  Oyo State governorship election are locked in a bitter war of words over  Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s successor.

They are the   ruling All Progressives Congress, the Peoples Democratic Party and the Social Democratic Party.

Mr Bayo Adelabu is the candidate of the APC for the poll, Seyi Makinde is the PDP’s standard-bearer and Chief Bolaji Ayorinde is representing the SDP.

The APC’s Director of Media, Research and Strategies  Dr AbdulAzeez Olatunde told our  correspondent that the huge  crowd that  thronged the venue as  Adelabu kicked off his campaign for the election in Ibadan  on Friday   was a testimony of the popularity  of   the APC  in the state due to the Ajimobi government’s performance.

Olatunde  said, “the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes  in its  press conference  ahead of  its   69th birthday party for the governor claimed that he  had indeed delivered on his electoral promises. If that unambiguous open declaration is not vote of confidence in  the APC and by extension Adelabu, March 2019 will soon be here.”

 On his part, spokesman for  the Seyi Makinde Campaign Council, Mr Dotun Oyelade,  said,  “Makinde has a  massive advantage over others. He’s the only candidate who was not chosen by a godfather,  and unblemished because for the past seven years has been using his hard-earned money to sponsor his political ambition.

“He is convinced that Adelabu of the APC who was selected at the last minute has traded off the wealth of Oyo State to their leader in Lagos.”

 The  chairman of the SDP in the state, Chief Niyi Ajewole,  said  Ayorinde  is the best  candidate to succeed the outgoing governor, denying reports the party had adopted Makinde.

Ajewole said, “The national headquarters of the SDP made it abundantly clear that the party is not joining any coalition but forging ahead to contest and win the forthcoming general elections. Our candidate is a reputable legal practitioner. He stands out above any other candidate being paraded by any other political party in Oyo State”.

Ajimobi,  supported by the state party executives on Friday, officially presented  Adelabu and other APC candidates for next year’s polls to the public in Oke Ado, Ibadan.

Ajimobi denied  that Adelabu was imposed on him, just as he boasted that all the APC candidates would win the 2019 elections in the state.

At the unveiling of Makinde’s running mate, Alhaji Rauf Olaniyan, at Premier Hotel, Ibadan, three former ministers – Prof Taoheed Adedoja, Mrs Jumoke Akinjide and Elder Wole Oyelese – were present alongside   Dr Saka Balogun, Senator Robert Koleoso and Alhaja Bose Adedibu.

 The ex-ministers, who spoke on the occasion,  expressed confidence that the PDP would take over power from the ruling APC in 2019.

Makinde said the electorate were  eagerly waiting for the PDP to bring back  the era of prosperity and abundant life through a reinvigorated agricultural policy, social welfare for youths and the elderly to make the state self-sufficient and vibrant.