Some Political Associates of the Deputy Governor of Oyo state, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan, have said that they remain loyal and committed to Governor Seyi Makinde and the People’s Democratic Party, PDP.
This is coming, following the defection of the Deputy Governor, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan, from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
They made this known, on Monday, in a statement, signed by Alhaji Salami Lateef Komi – Group Leader, Alhaji Najeem Ahmed Omirinde – Coordinator (Chairman OYO-RUWASA), Mr. Omolere Omoetan – SSA Media To Deputy Governor, Mr. Taiwo Alabede – Saki East, Mr. Alesiloye Ibrahim – Atisbo LGA
and Mr Yinka Oladimeji – Ibadan North.
The statement read: “The defection of the Deputy Governor, Engr. Rauf Aderemi Olaniyan from the PDP to the APC has been a subject in the news for a while. Even though this move is, of course, an open secret which has been envisaged among political watchers and newsmen, We have, as Political associates of the Deputy Governor, refrained from speaking about it to anyone either in the open or in our private life.
“Our decision to keep mum on the defection speculations, before it was finally confirmed by the Deputy Governor, was borne out of absolute respect for the office and person of the Deputy Governor, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan with the hope that the speculations would eventually not become a reality.
“Even though our unwavering loyalty to the Governor, His Excellency, Engr Seyi Makinde and commitment to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has somewhat denied some of us privileges and opportunities for a long time, our independent-mindedness and objective disposition to what is right or wrong has created in us a conviction that it pays to stand for a just course devoid of personal sentiments or emotions.
“It is on this note we wish to unequivocally reaffirm our absolute loyalty to Governor Seyi Makinde who has not only restored our sense of pride and honour with his purposeful leadership, but also reshaped the political landscape across the length and breath of Oyo state and Nigeria as a whole.
“We also wish to state that we remain as PDP members and have absolutely nothing to do with the All Progressives Congress to which the Engr Rauf Olaniyan has moved into.
“We also re-dedicate ourselves to the PDP and will continue to be committed and loyal to Governor Seyi Makinde and our great party.
“Our decision to remain committed and loyal PDP members is not an act of disloyalty to Engr. Rauf Olaniyan and should never at any point be misconstrued as such because we are men of freewill. Engr. Rauf Olaniyan himself would often say ” Politics is Free Entry And Free Exit”. To this extent, he was quoted by some online medium as also noting that ” Governor Makinde should not see his decision to take another path politically in 2023 as an act of disloyalty, because it is not”.
“It is our hope that he will also apply that same line of thought to our decision. We humbly wish wish Engr. Rauf Olaniyan best of luck in his present political sojourn.”
