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Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, representing Oyo North Senatorial District, has won the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to return to the National Assembly.
A total of 3,599 out of 3,997 delegates for the primary election held on Tuesday in Iseyin, affirmed his nomination as the party’s candidate in the 2019 senatorial election for Oyo North in the state.
The event was conducted by representatives of the National Working Committee of the party which had Barrister Ejiro Etaghene, Dr Hassim Adda and Sarah Egye Amiyawa as members. It was supervised by security agencies and officials of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC).
The affirmation which started around 10pm lasted few hours with all the delegates making voice affirmation and declaring total support for Senator Buhari’s return to the senate.
Dr Hassim Adda who conducted the exercise lauded the delegates for their patience and understanding and urged them not to relent in their effort in ensuring that APC won subsequent elections in the state
He maintained that the party is comitted to strengthening democracy and making life better through he provision of basic amenities, infrastructural development and creating enabling environment for promotion of commerce and industry
In his acceptance speech, Senator Buhari thanked the party leaders and members for their trust and support.
He said: “In 2014, we did the same exercise here and you supported me, and prayed for me to succeed. Together, we have been able to achieve what we are able to do so far in the area of empowerment, infrastructural development and legislative duties.
“Today, you have demonstrated another level of courage and belief in me to further represent you at the upper chamber of the National Assembly and Iwant to assure you that you will not regret it because I won’t betray the confidence you reposed in me.
“I will continue to work to enhance the progress of my constituents and constituency in accordance with the party’s manifesto to promote the integrity and ideology of APC”.
In his remark, Chairman, Alhaji Radaq Arikewuyo, said: “The choice of Senator Buhari is buoyed by his outstanding performance as a lawmaker, his achievement are unprecedented and monumental, and we want him to continue the good work, we are proud of him and as a party that cherishes service and performance, we agreed that he should return to the senate unopposed and that is why you can see the large turnout today.
“This is the first time such a thing is happening in the whole of Oyo state and we consider it a rare priviledge because it is a kind of honour and reward for Senator Buhari. We want to thank Senator Ajimobi, the Executive governor of Oyo state, party leaders and other stakeholders for their support
A chieftain of the party in Oke Ogun, Chief Ezekiel Olaogun expressed optimism that Senator Buhari’s second term will be far better than the first term, “He is an achiever, and a core progressive. He would perform better and facilitate more development for the constituency this time around.”
Party stalwarts at the event included Hon Isaac Ajiboye Omodewu, Commissioner for Land, Housing and Survey; Hon. Dauda Oladimeji, Commissioner for Works and Transport; Hon Isaac Ishola, Commissioner for Environment; Youth and women leaders from the district, council chairmen and councilors, as well as party executives in local governments and others.