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Members of Arewa community across Oyo State, on Thursday, endorsed the candidate of All Progressive Congress (APC), Senator Teslim Folarin.
While speaking at the residence of former deputy governor of Oyo State, Barr. Hazeem Gbolarumi, the Arewa community said they unanimously agreed to work for the APC candidate in order to enjoy dividend of democracy which they have been deprived by incumbent governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde.
The also noted that Gbolarumi has been good to the Arewa community and they will obey his instructions.
The General Secretary of group, Bappa Hurso, said Arewa community doesn’t forget good things people do for them, stressing that is the reason they can’t forget Adedibu and Gbolarumi.
“We want peace to reign supreme like time of late Governor Abiola Ajimobi. We want you to fulfill all your promises to us and don’t make us regret that we support you. We are still in PDP because of Gbolarumi but we agree to vote for Folarin to obey Gbolarumi’s instruction.
“With due respect, on behalf of our Emir, Sarki Hausawa Bodija and executive members of Arewa community, Bodija Ibadan, we promise that come next Saturday, we will ensure that we vote for APC to make Teslim Folarin our next governor in the state,” Hurso said.
Addressing the Arewa Community, Gbolarumi commended them for their loyalty to him, saying he deemed it fit to invite them to meet Folarin. He also thanked them for defiling all odds to attend the meeting despite their tight schedule.
Gbolarumi noted that he was told Makinde had earlier invited them to a meeting, but because of their loyalty to him, they refuse to endorse him.
“I thank you that you are honest with me and you always follow my instructions. I know you’re PDP but Makinde causes this for setting precedence by directing PDP in the state to vote for Tinubu.
“I want to tell you that Makinde wanted to deceive you for calling you to meet and endorse him. This was how he deceived us and made us to labour in vain. Also, Makinde is wicked, that was why he made his presidential candidate, Atiku to lose and he worked for candidate of another political party.
“Folarin is one of us, from Adedibu source. Adedibu is brain behind where Hausa people are presently staying in Sabo, Ibadan, though the land was owned by me but Adedibu renovated the place for them,” the former deputy governor stated.
Responding, the APC governorship candidate, Folarin, thanked the Arewa community for their support, maintaining that he shares same identity with them.
Folarin also revealed how his late father worked in the North and also spent his early childhood in the North.
He said:”Gbolarumi is my brother and leader. Makinde is favoured to be given the political position but he misused the position by misbehaving to his elders in politics. He is not one of us, the reason for his behaviour. I promise to fulfill all my promises and I will come back to appreciate you after winning the election.”