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The lawmaker representing Oyo Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Teslim Folarin, hassaid he is not defecting to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State.
Folarin stated this during an interactive session with All Progressives Congress(APC) executives and stakeholders from Iseyin and Itesiwaju Local Government Areas last Wednesday.
Folarin, who is also the Chairman Senate Committee on Local Content, was on tour of the two local government areas.
The lawmaker, who said he has no reason to rejoin the PDP, urged members of the APC in Oyo State to be united ahead of the forthcoming congresses.
He said: “There is no denying the fact that I started my partisan politics in PDP but joined a progressive family in 2017. My political mentor, late High Chief Lamidi Adelabu was a born-and-bred progressive but later decamped to PDP.
“Those discriminating against me in APC are only jittery because I am a fully-baked politician. They’re jittery because Baba Adedibu injected me with both progressive and conservative ideologies.
“Unfortunately for mischievous people within APC and the ruling PDP, APC is an hybrid political party. All political school of thoughts have stake in APC. No legacy party is superior to another. Is President Muhammadu Buhari, a conservative or progressive? Vice President Femi Osinbajo is what? The President of the Nigerian Senate and Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila are what? Former Governor Rochas Okorocha, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Governor Yahaya Bello, Senator Ibrahim Shakarau, Minister Ogbonaya Onu are what? We will not leave here if I continue to mention names of APC leaders who are from the legacy parties- ACN, CPC, PDP, ANPP, LP and APGA.
“Late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, may his soul rest in peace, was my cousin, leader and benefactor. He was at one time a progressive, and another time a conservative. He died as a progressive. May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljana Fridauz. I, Oloye Teslim Kolawole Folarin is proud to be a member of APC and I’ll passionately strive to unite the party. I won’t join issues with divisive elements to destabilise the house (APC) because of ambition.
“I am bonafide member and senator of APC. There is nothing PDP will offer me that I cannot achieve in APC by the grace of God and the support of the genuine and progressive-minded members of our great party. And to PDP, you will not only remain the main opposition party at the federal level but also handover to APC in Oyo State come 2023.
“Fellow party members, don’t be misinformed and misled. I want to stress that I am happy in APC. Therefore, defecting to PDP because of future ambition is not an option whatsoever. I am not an ingrate. I am not a dishonourable man. God is my witness that APC is my house, nobody can force me out.”
While urging gladiators to be conscious of utterances and actions capable of polarising the progressive family in Oyo State, the three-term lawmaker sued for peace and harmony before, during and after the party’s congresses.
He emphasised that the mission of the party in Oyo State is to reclaim Agodi Government House in 2023,urging party members to eschew unnecessary intra-party crisis in the spirit of oneness and progress.
“We must learn from the mistakes that led to our loss to undeserving PDP. God giveth and taketh power, all aspirants must see and treat ourselves as blood brothers. Maligning one another because of ambition will be counterproductive. I’m on tour to preach peace and harmony in the progressive family,” he stressed.
Folarin was recieved by APC leaders from the two local governments including Dauda Azuzu; Isaac Omodewu; Hon. Yinka Taiwo; Engr. Yekeen Abolade; Alhaji Shina Khalid; Hon. Ogunleke Anthony; Alhaji Musbau Eyinade Alobo; Hon. Fatai Salaam; Alhaja Dauda Wasilat and Hon. Kunle Teslim among others.
Those on Folarin’s entourage include Alhaji Mufutau Adisa Gbayawu; Alhaji M.K.O Olaoye; Alhaji Kamorudeen Ajisafe; Alhaji Razak Lawal Akilapa; Alhaji Audu Marafa; Alhaji Waheed Akinleye; Chief Lowo Obisesan; Chief Adegboyega Adegoke; Alhaji Shina Alabi; Alhaji Kayode Adanla; Hon. Akeem Olatunji Akogun; Rt. Hon. Hammed Adigun Murphy; Hon. Akin Ali; Hon. D.A Lawal; Hon. Adegoke; Rt. Hon. Segun Ajanaku; Hon. AbdulFatai Salaam; Alhaji Yinka Folarin; Alhaji Remi Adeleke; Hon. Biliaminu Ogundele; Barr. Biodun Akaje, Hon. Kola Amoo; Hon. Akeem Ila; Mogaji Afolabi Adesina and Hon. Kabiru Alarape.
Others are Alhaji Adeniyi Ishaq; Hon. Kayode Ojo; Alhaji Ade Love; Prince Oyedepo; Hon. Kayode Okeamu; Alhaji Rasaq Bello Ademola; Hon. Taofeeq Ibrahim; Shola Oguntona; Hon. Idowu Adeniji as well as local and ward executives, all former councillors and political appointees.