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The immediate past Chief of Staff to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Chief Oyebisi Ilaka, has formally declared his intention to contest the Oyo Central Senatorial District seat in the 2023 general elections.
Addressing party chieftains and supporters at Omi Tuntun House, Iwo Road, Ibadan, on Tuesday, Ilaka said he is putting himself forward again in order to rescue the senatorial district and country from the “clueless APC administration that has ravaged the length and breath of this nation.”
According to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, the declaration is the beginning of a rescue mission.
He said: “The year of the locust is now over in Oyo Central, we want to change the narrative from today, that’s why we want to build an all inclusive structure. We need to roll up our sleeves and get ready for the work ahead.
“We want to reach every nooks and cranny of this senatorial district because we are in complete alingnment with our party which has brought the theme, ‘Rescuing Nigeria,’ and we want to rescue Oyo Central Senatorial District too. Again, in alignment with the leader of our party in the state and South West, Engr. Oluwaseyi Makinde, who represents all that is very good in this state, we want to be a part of that uncommon grace and share it with him.We do not want to be left behind and that is why we are kicking off early.”
Ilaka said people have seen enough of “wasteful representation by the APC in our senatorial district,” noting that the 2023 general elections is a very defining moment in the history of the country.
“We all know there is no other party in this state because the distinguishing factor for us is we have a leader. We have leaders and conventions.
“We know we have national challenges and there are national issues which probably include the restructuring of the arrangement of how things should be in this country, because without justice, fair play and equity in this country, our challenges will remain the same.
“I put myself forward as usual, as I have done a couple of times but I know that this time, we will all be victors. Your representative will provide you with a representation that you deserve as opposed to the one that we have been observing year-after-year.
“I implore us to join hands together on this mission to enhance the glory of our senatorial district and join hands with our governor to salvage this nation,” the former Chief of Staff stated.
Ilaka, who contested for the senatorial seat in 2011, 2015 and 2019, said the 2023 election will be different.
“During the previous elections, our party was not in power. I was contesting against the incumbent government. But this time around, we are in power and we have all the local government chairmen working with us. So, it make things different this time around,” the Ladilu of Oyo kingdom said.
Speaking, the PDP deputy chairman in Oyo State, Mr James Omikunle, described Ilaka as an upright person and phliantropist.
He urged party faithful to support him and Governor Makinde in 2023.
In his remarks, a party leader from Afijio Local Government, Pa Stephen Ogunlade, asked party leaders to mobilise and sensitise youths on the need to register and collect their permanent voters card before the 2023 general elections.
Dignitaries at the event include Oyo Central Senatorial Women Leader, Alhaja Wulemat Ibitoye; Oyo Central Senatorial Youth Leader, Kola Bello; member representing Oluyole state constituency in the House of Assembly, Hon. Francis Adetunji; Oyo State PDP Publicity Secretary, Engr. Akeem Olatunji, chairmen of local governments and LCDAs in the senatorial district among others.