Unknown to many people, especially members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Governor Abiola Ajimobi, his predecessor- Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala and former senate leader, Oloye Teslim Folarin, agreed to run for senatorial seats in the forthcoming election.
OYO INSIGHT had reported how the trio met in London early this year.
While Ajimobi and Folarin are to run for the senatorial seats of Oyo South and Central respectively, Alao-Akala, who has defected to the Action Democratic Party, ADP, is aiming to succeed Ajimobi in Agodi.
Only last Thursday, chairman of the party in the state, Chief Akin Oke stated that Alao-Akala betrayed an agreement reached with Ajimobi on his next political ambition.
According had at a meeting in London last year, resolved to all vie for the Senate but Alao-Akala’s change to seek the governorship seat.
Oke added that just like the party offered Alao-Akala the senatorial seat for the 2019 election, it also presented the same offer in 2015 before Alao-Akala left for the Labour Party to pursue his gubernatorial ambition.
Upon Alao-Akala’s insistence on vying for the governorship, he was said to have been told by Ajimobi to go and test his popularity on the field.
Oke made these disclosures in Ogbomoso at a rally for the party’s candidate for Ogbomoso North/Ogbomoso South/Oriire Federal Constituency, Hon Olagunju Ojo, which was attended by Alao-Alaka’s son, Olamijuwonlo, who chairs Ogbomoso North local government.
Akala and Oke are not only kinsmen, they are from the same Ogbomoso North local government.
“Prior to the 2015 elections, we had a zonal meeting in my house, I told Senator Fatai Buhari that he should get ready to allow Alao-Akala have the party’s senatorial ticket if Alao-Akala joins the party and he acceded saying if that is the will of God. However, Alao-Akala left for the Labour Party.
“When he joined the party, it was 50:50 with Alao-Akala despite the fact that he didn’t start the party with us.
“Sometimes ago, Ajimobi, Alao-Akala and Teslim Folarin met in London, which was publicised on the social media, and they reached an agreement. God bears me witness if Ajimobi betrayed Alao-Akala.
Alao-Akala did express fear that if given the Senatorial ticket, he is uncertain of getting the support of the people of Ogbomoso. He said he wanted to vie for governorship because he could bank on some votes from Ibadan.
“The agreement among the three was that they will get Senatorial tickets. Prior to the APC primaries, we were shocked when Alao-Akala said he wanted the governorship ticket. We said that was not the initial agreement, so why the change. Ajimobi then said if Alao-Akala insisted on getting the governorship ticket, he should go to the field to test his popularity. He failed to keep to the agreement,” Oke said.
Noting that the APC presented credible candidates across the board, Oke subsequently urged the people of Ogbomoso to vote responsibly.
Oke, joined by several other members of the state executive council members of the party and party leaders, subsequently did the symbolic handing over of the party’s flag to Olagunju Ojo as its candidate for Ogbomoso North/Ogbomoso South/Oriire federal constituency.
Senator Fatai Buhari of Oyo North Senatorial District; former state Commissioner for Finance, Mr Zaccheus Adelabu; Honourable Olukayode Akande representing Ogbomoso South constituency; party leaders and Chairmen of local government areas in Ogbomoso North/Ogbomoso South/Oriire federal constituency, among others attended the rally.
Speaking, Buhari avowed that the APC boasted of candidates of credible character and good track record from federal to state and local levels.
Noting that Ojo had garnered the needed legislative experience as former deputy Speaker and current Speaker to excel as a member of the House of Representatives, Buhari called for support for Ojo’s ambition.
Above all, Buhari prayed for the emergence of candidates who truly mean well for the nation, while urging the electorate to vote right and not engage in electoral violence.
In his remarks, Ojo promised not to disappoint his constituents if elected.
