Over three hundred aspirants for various positions on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, met Governor Abiola Ajimobi and party leaders at Quarters 81 of the Oyo State Government House yesterday.
At the meeting, the 10 senatorial, 75 House of Representatives and 250 House of Assembly aspirants adopted indirect mode of primary election to choose governorship and legislative candidates in the 2019 general elections.
At the meeting were the state chairman, Chief Akin Oke; state secretary, Mr Mojeed Olaoya; ex-Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala; former Senate leader, Teslim Folarin; senatorial district chairmen and other state executives members and leaders of the party.
The decision was a sequel to a motion for the adoption of the indirect primary mode of elections for all the primary elections of the legislative aspirants moved by Mr Olaide Olalere, an aspirant vying for the seat of Ibadan North East State Constituency II.
The motion for the adoption of the indirect primary election which was all affirmed and supported by other aspirants of the party was seconded by Mrs Olanrewaju Otiti, an aspirant contesting Ibadan North Federal Constituency seat.
Ajimobi while speaking to the aspirants during the meeting urged them to negotiate with themselves where necessary so as not to waste resources on a futile exercise, especially in view of the high cost of purchasing the nomination form.
Ajimobi said, “I am urging you all to negotiate and come up with a candidate in your various constituencies if such is possible and if not, you all can be prepared for the indirect primaries which you have adopted.
The governor admonished the aspirants to remain committed to the party irrespective of the outcome from the primaries, saying every member of the party would share in the success. He warned them not to take undue advantage of what he called “the ongoing experiment within the party” which he said has offered all aspirants a level playing ground.
