The Oyo State deputy governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal, has been described as a progressive minded politician with an unblemished character, who has never tarnish his image in all political positions he has held, prior to his present elevation.
The remarks was made by Comrade Wole Abisoye, when he led a team of former members of the Oyo State chapter of the Zenith Labour Party on a courtesy visit to the deputy governor in his office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, the state capital, on Friday.
The group formally defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
Abisoye, on behalf of members expressed their happiness on the appointment of Lawal as the new deputy governor and his nomination as running mate of Governor Seyi Makinde for next year’s governorship election, saying it is a round peg in a round hole.
Abisoye, who was a former chairman of the ZLP in Oyo State, gave detail account of how large members of the now moribund party in the state, decided to move enmass into the PDP.
According to him, when a meeting was held, to decide a new direction for ZLP, while majority members of the apex body of the ZLP opted to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), he, being the chairman, thought otherwise.
“I took a stand against joining the APC and said since ZLP was part of coalition that supported Governor Makinde in 2019 governorship election, the right party to join should be the PDP.” he said.
Abisoye said his position was accepted by majority of the party’s local government chairmen and other stakeholders across the 33 local government in the state.
He told the deputy governor that since decision to join PDP was taken, they have never looked back, and have resolved to remain in PDP.
However, Abisoye appealed to the deputy governor to bring to the notice of the governor that promises, in terms of certain percentage of political appointment, made to the ZLP as a coalition party are yet to be fully fulfilled.
In his response, the deputy governor thanked and appreciated the team for the visit, urging them to remain calm and patient with the administration.
He,however, assured them of presenting their request to the governor.
Lawal told the group that he would remain their face in government, adding that they should count on his support at all times.
The team were drawn from all the three senatorial zones of the states.
Speaking shortly with journalists after the visit, Abisoye reiterated the commitment of his group to the administration of Makinde.
“Our visit to His Excellency today, Barrister Bayo Lawal is to rejoice with him on his appointment as deputy governor and running mate to Governor Seyi Makinde in the 2023 governorship election. Well, as a listening and intelligent leader, he gave us a good and warm audience.
“We felt that his appointment will bring good governance to the people of Oyo State and thus equally promise to continue supporting the present administration in the state. We will ensure that every effort needed are put in place by us as critical stakeholders to return Governor Makinde in 2023 by the grace of God.
“On this note, we the former members of the Oyo chapter of the ZLP, which is now an integral part of the Oyo State PDP are really happy and thank Governor Seyi Makinde for his divine wisdom in appointing our leader, Barrister Bayo Lawal as the deputy governor. Having both of them in the saddle of the state even beyond 2023 is our major focus now and by the special grace of God, that would be accomplished,” he added.
