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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Senator Teslim Folarin, has lambasted former deputy governor of the state and current deputy national chairman (South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, for his outburst during an interview on a radio station in Ibadan, on Tuesday.
In a statement issued by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Com. YSO Olaniyi, Folarin described Arapaja as a frustrated politician.
Arapaja had during the interview allegedly called Folarin and some political heavyweights in the state unprintable names.
Reacting, Folarin said: “I am a democrat, civil and responsible statesman in Oyo State. Therefore, I won’t respond to blackmail, propaganda and irresponsible attacks from any politician. However, I want to confirm to the people of Oyo State that Mr. Taofeek Arapaja is under intense pressure following gale of endorsements in my favour and continuous exoduses hitting the ruling PDP and other opposition parties in the state.
“No amount of blackmail, propaganda and irresponsible attacks from Mr. Arapaja and his co-travellers can save Engr. Seyi Makinde and other PDP candidates from imminent defeat in the March 18 elections. The assurance is that the Almighty God and the downtrodden masses are behind Itesiwaju Ipinle Oyo 2023 project.
“With due respect to other candidates, I remain the most experienced public administrator and the one closest to the grassroots, having represented Oyo Central Senatorial District for three terms, with verifiable track records of achievements and toured 351 wards of Oyo State on countless occasions.
“I am contesting governorship seat of Oyo State to holistically improve security, education sector, agricultural sector, health sector, empowerment and employment of our youths and women, to grow our economy, welfare of civil servants and pensioners, to ensure local government autonomy, urban renewal and rural developments, clean environment, wealth creation and lots more.
“I have the capacity to do better than the current administration in the state led by the Governor Seyi Makinde.
“On a final note, I urge the good people of Oyo State not to give in to cheap blackmail, propaganda and irresponsible attacks. I have capacity to deliver masses-focused governance as executive governor when elected. Besides, let us take full advantage of Tinubu-Shettima Presidency by voting en-masse for APC this coming Saturday. A vote for APC is for Itesiwaju Ipinle Oyo.”