49 Oyo ADC Candidates Reaffirms Lanlehin's Candidacy, Pledge Loyalty To Ladoja, Others -

All the candidates that emerged on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Oyo State, on Friday, restated their loyalty to the collegiate leadership of the party, just as they affirmed Senator Olufemi Lanlehin as the governorship candidate of the state, insideOYO.com gathered.

Rising from stakeholders’ and candidates’ emergency meetings held at the party’s secretariat at Samonda, Ibadan, the stakeholders reaffirmed confidence in the ability of a former governor of the state and Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Rashidi Ladoja; Chief Michael Koleoso; Dr Adebisi Busari; Chief Layiwola Olakojo and Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle to lead the party and its candidates to victory in next year’s election.

Spokespersons for the forum and lawmakers representing Atiba State Constituency, Honourable Gbenga Oyekola and Honourable Segun Olaleye from Ibadan North II constituency, said the meetings, which were well attended, had in attendance the three Senatorial candidates of the party, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu (Oyo Central); Senator Soji Akanbi (Oyo South); Chief Bayo Lawal (Oyo North); 14 House of Representatives and 32 House of Assembly candidates.

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The lawmakers said the party’s stakeholders were confident that the leaders, with their “enviable political pedigree and time-tested electoral value,” would lead the campaign for the party as soon as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) lifted the ban of the campaign.

Oyekola and Olaleye dispelled insinuation that Senator Ladoja would dump the party, expressing optimism that the Osi Olubadan would join forces with other leaders to bring about a pro-people government in the state under the banner of ADC in 2019 for the benefit of all the populace.

The lawmaker said with “the array of political stars God has blessed ADC with and the strength of ADC in all the parts of the state,” ADC was not just the most viable opposition party in the state today but also a government-in-waiting.

“For us, it is no longer a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’ ADC forms the government of Oyo State in 2019. We are lucky in ADC to be blessed with the leaders who have proved their mettle politically in the politics of the state and beyond. Name any party that parades with a galaxy of stars we have in our party in the state.

“When the time for the campaign comes and our leaders leading the charge, it will be clear to all that our party will form the next government and our candidates will sweep the polls. ADC is strong in all the zones of the state.

“The people of the state have shown a preference for ADC. They have been calling us to settle whatever issues we have in our party quickly. They have been literally warning us not let them down by allowing little things to disrupt our cohesion as a formidable force against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC),” the spokespersons said.

The meetings, according to Oyekola and Olaleye, also appealed to the group of 12 aggrieved governorship aspirants to sheath their sword, assuring them that their interest would be taken care of with Senator Lanlehin as the incoming governor of the state in 2019.

“We are not saying they don’t have reasons to be aggrieved. But we want them to consider the larger interest of the people of the state and the love and the goodwill the party has enjoyed within a short period of time.

“They should cooperate with the party and its leaders. They should continue to give their support to the party. We call on them to withdraw the case filed in court against the emergence of Lanlehin who happens to be the candidate the people of the state have been waiting for the party to pick,” they said.