The gubernatorial candidate of the Alliance for Democracy, (AD) in the 2019 election in Oyo State, Engr. Oyedele Hakeem Alao has finally joined the All Progressive Congress (APC).
In a statement issued from his campaign office in Ibadan, the Oman-based project and contract management specialist took the decision on Thursday, 16th December, 2021 after wider consultation with his teaming supporters and foremost political stakeholders in Oyo State.
While addressing APC members in Iroko, Ward 12 of Akinyele Local Government of Oyo State, Alao who hailed from Motunde village of the same ward, described his joining APC as homecoming, having being a progressive since he joined politics in 1998.
Alao, who is also The Asiwaju of Iroko Land later proceeded to the APC’s Akinyele Local Government Secretariat in Moniya to formally register and picked his registration slip. He used the opportunity to meet all the Local Government Executives and Ward Chairmen of the party in Akinyele Local Government.
In his welcome address, the APC Chairman in Akinyele Local Government, Engr. Akinniyi Emmanuel Akinbode described Engr. Oyedele Hakeem Alao as a technocrat and a political firebrand every party would love to have.
He commended Alao for taking a bold decision of coming back home and urged party members in the Local Government to rally round him. Other executives who took turn to speak also commended Engr. Alao for always keeping the Seyi Makinde’s PDP government on its toe through his viral, viable and responsible opposition even when in the Alliance for Democracy, AD. They urged him to keep the momentum now that he is in the APC.
While responding to questions at the Local Government Secretariat in Moniya, Alao, the Oil and Gas technocrat, thanked the Executives for the magnificent reception and promised to be a pillar upon which the party could rest on.
“Like I said in Iroko, the APC is not a new terrain as I have always been a progressive since 1998 that I joined politics in Lagos. My coming home into the APC is to return to the mainfold and centerpiece of progressive politics. I assured you all of my cooperation and support at all time”.
“Today’s meeting is just to formally register and pick my registration slip. I have already met some leaders of the party in this Local Government and the state before coming here to register and the consultation will continue. A date for my official welcome rally will be communicated to you and the general public in due course”.
“I have also notified all my supporters and former AD members in Akinyele Local Government and across Oyo State to join APC before the welcome rally in March, 2022”. Alao concluded.
Engr. Oyedele Hakeem Alao was accompanied by his campaign staff and team, which includes, Barr. Tajudeen Ademola Adeniji (Former MHR, Iseyin, Kajola, Iwajowa, Itesiwaju Federal Constituency), Rev. Bayo Ajagbe, Com. Lekan Salawu, Mrs. Nike Kolawole among others.
