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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders in Oyo State have told the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates and those of other political parties in the forthcoming local government election to prepare for heavy defeat as they would not leave any stone unturned “to rescue the third tier of government from total collapse.”
The stakeholders, comprising some notable leaders, chieftains and members of the party from across the 33 local government areas in the state spoke during a meeting held at state secretariat of Oyo APC in Oke Ado, on Sunday.
The meeting was at the instance of Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and deliberations were centred on how APC candidates would emerge victorious in the local government election slated for April 27, 2024.
In his opening address, the state secretary of the party, Alhaji Tajudeen Olanite, who stood in for the chairman, Barr Isaac Omodewu, explained that the participation of Oyo APC in the election was a clear indication that the party was not ready to disappoint its members and the entire citizenry on matters relating to democracy, rule of law and good governance as it was prepared to change the narrative of the party in power writing results for its candidates to win all seats.
Speaking, the party’s governorship candidate in the 2019 election and current Minister of Power, Adelabu, charged all party faithful to do extra work for the success of APC chairmanship and councilorship candidates.
“We are mindful of the fact that it is not going to be an easy thing because local government poll is usually the most difficult, especially for a party in opposition, but with unity of purpose, commitment and dedication, we can do it.
“As an individual party member, I will do everything within my power to support all our candidates across the 33 LGAs and 351 wards in the state. We shall begin to walk the talk from today by giving cash support to them. We are not even going to stop at that, we will reach out to other stakeholders in Abuja and elsewhere to mobilise them for the task at hand. I have also asked our supporters, who rejoined Oyo APC with us last December, to cooperate with the party handlers and the candidates of our party. If we are able to work together as a progressive family members, victory is sure anytime,” he said.
The former deputy governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) also used the opportunity to explain the cause of the challenges facing the power sector in the country and the measures being put in place by his ministry to tackle the problem headlong.
“Electricity is so important that no serious government can toy with that sector. The problems we are facing at the moment started about 60 years ago but we would not use that as an excuse. We are doing a lot and very soon, Nigerians will have a cause to smile as power supply will become stable nationwide ” added.
In his remarks, Alh. Abu Gbadamosi, who spoke on behalf of all party leaders present at the meeting, described Adelabu’s decision to identify with the party and its candidates for the council election as a morale booster that is coming at the right time.
He urged him not to relent in working with others to move the party forward and also ensure that peace and harmony reign supreme within Oyo APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Party dignitaries who graced the meeting include Engr. Dayo Lawal, Alh. Mufutau Adisa (Gbayawu), Alh. Kamorudeen Ajisafe, Chief Francis Babalola, Chief C. A. Ajibade, Alh. Bello Oladeji (BAO), Hon. Adeyemi Adekola, Hon. Mojeed Olaoya, Alhaja Tinuade Adigun, Hon. Joshua Oyebamiji, Hon. Tunde Oloyede, Alhaji Isiaka Alimi, Prince Ayodeji Abass-Alesinloye, Alh. Wale Sanusi among others.