A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State, led by former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has declared its support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
The group, linked to the Saminu Turaki-led PDP faction, mobilised members and supporters from across the state to endorse Oyebamiji.
The endorsement was made at the WOCDIF Event Centre in Osogbo, with former African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate and former Secretary to the State Government under Oyinlola, Fatai Akinbade, in attendance.
Also present at the gathering were former PDP South-West Vice Chairman, Taju Oladipo, as well as other party leaders and former political office holders.
Oyinlola explained that although the group remained members of the PDP, it had decided to support Oyebamiji in what it considered to be the overall interest of Osun State.
He said party membership remained intact, but political loyalty should not prevent members from putting the interest of the people ahead of partisan considerations.
According to him, it was on this basis that the group resolved to formally support Oyebamiji, the APC candidate in the election.
Oyinlola said the decision was driven by the group’s belief that Osun State needed a change of direction.
He also alleged that the present administration had failed to adequately carry political stakeholders along in the affairs of the state.
The former governor recalled that members of the group were among the major stakeholders who worked for the emergence of the present PDP administration, saying they supported, mobilised and invested political resources in the project because they believed it represented the aspirations of the people.
He, however, said the relationship later deteriorated, identifying what he described as a lack of inclusiveness in governance as one of the major reasons for the development.
Oyinlola maintained that no government or political party could achieve sustainable success without carrying its people and leaders along.
He said his political experience, alongside that of other members of the group, had given them sufficient understanding of the political history and circumstances of Osun State to make an informed decision.
The former governor stressed that the endorsement should not be interpreted as an abandonment of the PDP.
He recalled his seven-and-a-half-year tenure as governor of the state and noted that many of those at the gathering had also served Osun in different capacities and contributed to its development.
Oyinlola said the group’s members were therefore not newcomers to the political affairs of the state, having understood its history, struggles and circumstances.
He reiterated that the decision to support Oyebamiji did not amount to abandoning the PDP.
Responding, Oyebamiji pledged to run an inclusive administration if elected, saying political stakeholders would be given a role in decision-making.
The APC candidate described those present at the event as important stakeholders in Osun State and said their experience and wisdom would be valuable to his administration.
Oyebamiji assured the group that his administration would not abandon anyone or restrict governance to a particular family or community.
Earlier, the Director-General of the APC Campaign Council, Wole Oke, urged members of the PDP faction to return to their respective wards and polling units to mobilise support for Oyebamiji.
Oke assured them that an APC administration would promote what he described as inclusive governance across the state.
Vanguard
