The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2019 house of representatives election in Oyo federal constituency, Prince Bayo Adeyemi, has revealed that he did not contest the result of the election at the tribunal because the margin between him and the winner, Prince Akeem Adeyemi (Skimeh) was narrow.
OYOINSIGHT.COM understands that De Guv, as the PDP candidate is popularly called, lost to his brother, Skimeh, who was the candidate of the All Progressives Congress.
The two princes are sons of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi.
De Guv, in an interview with Goalpoacher News, also explained that family bond he shares with Skimeh almost made it impossible to contest the result of the election.
“First and foremost, just look at the margin between myself and my brother. It was narrow. Secondly, most PDP members in Atiba, Oyo East and Oyo West didn’t vote for me, it’s a fact. They voted for another party (ADP).
“It was only in AFIJIO local government that they voted for me overwhelmingly. Their grouse was that I won the party’s primary and some were aggrieved. Thirdly, how many of those who approached the tribunal in the state reclaimed their mandates? Just tell me one.
“I came from a noble family. We don’t play politics of do or die. Moreover, family bond is stronger than any other parochial or pecuniary gains. On the insinuations in some quarters that I received a sum of N8m from my brother not to challenge his victory, there is no iota of truth in such rumours,” he said.
Speaking further, he stated that despite his contributions toward the emergence of Governor Seyi Makinde and the victory of the PDP in the state, the governor does not even answer his calls again.
“Life goes on my brother. I didn’t regret supporting Governor Seyi Makinde. During electioneering, I moved round approaching all the Baales and canvassing votes for myself and the Governor. I pulled out of the palace to divide the votes. Didn’t PDP contest election in 2011 and 2015? What were their results in Oyo Zone? What happened in 2019?
“I am an asset to the party, not a liability. Most people that have been appointed couldn’t even deliver their polling units. Such is life. Now, tell me who controls the votes in Oyo Zone? Out of the four that contested, Alaafin’s sons came first and second.
“What is my gain in facing my ancestral home to support the man I love dearly and the party we built from the scratch? Governor Makinde no longer speak with me but I wish him well. That’s politics and politician, life goes on.
May God never forsake me. So pathetic the situation I found myself. I am neither here nor there. With all the intimidation, harassment and embarrassment and facing the incumbent against all odds,” he added.
