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By Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi has stated that his party, the All Progressives Congress(APC) is blessed with capable hands that can move the state forward in all elective positions.
Governor Ajimobi stated this at the official campaign flag off of all the aspirants contesting for elective offices on the platform of the party on Friday.
The event which held at the party’s state Secretariat at Oke Ado, Ibadan had party chieftains, dignitaries and party supporters in attendance. They include the governorship candidate of the party in the state, Chief Adebayo Adelab; his running mate, Mr Samuel Egunjobi; the party chairman, Chief Akin Oke; Dr Olusola Ayandele and the chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Oyo State, Alhaji Tajudeen Olajide (Ejiogbe).
Also present at the event were thespians Muyiwa Adekola, Faithia Williams, Akin Lewis, Jumoke George, Akin Olaiya, Ebun Oloyede(Igwe), Soji Taiwo (Omo Banks) and Rilwan Onilegbale.
On the band stand were popular Fuji musicians Alhaji Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, Rasheed Ayinde Merenge and hip hop artiste, Qdot Alagbe.
Addressing the mammoth crowd at the venue, Governor Ajimobi thanked the chairman, the state executives and the people for their support for him and his administration in the last eight years. He talked about the prevailing peace in the state in the last eight years and appealed to the aspirants who felt aggrieved over the outcome of the primaries especially the governorship primary.
He said “There is peace in the state since our government came on board and we have sustained the peace in the last eight years.
“God made us to pick Adelabu. All the aspirants were qualified but God told me to pick the youngest candidate amongst them. All the other aspirants are also good people. I am the one that offended you and I beg for your forgiveness”.
He continued, “I urge you to support and cooperate with the candidate. God chose Adelabu to be there and by the grace of God the person that will take my place is Adebayo Adelabu.
“In the camp of our opponents, they are fighting themselves. That is a sign that we will win at the polls. Also,all our aspirants are experienced, capable and trusted hands in their different fields.”
Governor Ajimobi later introduced all the aspirants for elective positions on the platform of the party and handed over the party’s flag to Adelabu.
While rallying support for the candidature of Adelabu, the actors took turns to extol Adelabu’s virtues and urged the people to vote massively for hm, saying he is the best man for the job.
In his welcome address, the State chairman of the party, Chief Akin Oke thanked all party members and the people for their support and cooperation and prayed that their labour will not be in vain.
He said “We didn’t regret in 2011 and 2015, by the grace of God, we will emerge victorious at the polls. All our candidates will be victorious. Thank you to all the party members and the people for your cooperation and support. I pray our labour will not be in vain”.