By Akinwande Soji-Ojo
A former deputy governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has said he would not leave the party if he fails to clinch the gubernatorial ticket.
Adalabu stated this on Saturday while featuring on Fresh 105.9FM programme, ‘Political Circuit.’
The former CBN deputy governor noted that politics is a passion for him and not a “do or die” affair.
He, however, said it is unthinkable that he won’t pick the APC governorship ticket during the primary.
He said: “In an almost impossible situation if I don’t (pick the ticket), I don’t have anywhere to go because my own politics isn’t do or die. Like I always say, I have got my second address and everybody knows that. I don’t put my eggs in one basket; politics is passion for me, politics is readiness to serve my people and to me it’s secondary. it is not a way of livelihood.”
Adelabu added that he is sure APC would be ready to field someone that just had an election and scored a good number of votes and somoene who has contributed to the party and society at large.
“In terms of contribution to the society, everything I have is in this state and I challenge any politician in this state today to come and tell me that he is more passionate than I am Almost all my investments are here.
“After the election in 2019, I have remained here, established more businesses and employed more youths. I have about 2000 employees in Oyo State and most of them are youths.
“In terms of ability to fund your election, that is not controversial. Even though we spent so much money to prosecute the last election, I am ready to fund my election without waiting for the ticket that I will use to be shopping for money here and there.
“We stood with the party after losing the 2019 election.It happened to some people and they ran away. But we were funding the party and we stabilised the party. If I didn’t run away after losing the election, I believe the party will want to pay back and compensate.
“I have been in touch with my followers and party faithful in the last 36 months,” he said
The governorship hopeful noted that APC members in Oyo State have learnt from the mistakes of the past, adding that they will all bond and work together to dislodge the current administration in the state.
