With the swelling number of persons showing their ambition to emerge the next governor of Oyo state, Governor Abiola Ajimobi has said that he was not averse to having more aspirants throw their hats into the ring.
About 15 aspirants have shown interest in clinching the APC gubernatorial ticket to include former governor Adebayo Alao Akala, Dr Olusola Ayandele, Mr Joseph Tegbe, Mr Bayo Adelabu, Mr Niyi Akintola, Professor Adeolu Akande, Mr Akeem Agbaje, Mr Soji Eniade, Dr Azeez Adeduntan, Mr Sunday Dare, Mr Ayo Karim and Mr Isaac Omodewu.
This is as he added that while those who had shown interest to be governor on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) boasted of appreciable qualities, he was yet to endorse any one of them as his successor.
According to Ajimobi, who spoke during a meeting with the women forum of the APC in the state, at the party Secretariat, Oke-Ado, Ibadan, he was rather praying for the emergence of a God fearing successor.
Like a recent meeting held with leaders and elders of the party, Ajimobi also keyed into assurances of the women leaders, across the zones, that the party had achieved between 75 and 80 per cent success in reconciling aggrieved members.
According to Ajimobi, who spoke during a meeting with the women forum of the APC in the state, at the party Secretariat, Oke-Ado, Ibadan, he was rather praying for the emergence of a God fearing successor.
Like a recent meeting held with leaders and elders of the party, Ajimobi also keyed into assurances of the women leaders, across the zones, that the party had achieved between 75 and 80 per cent success in reconciling aggrieved members.
According to Publicity Secretary, Oyo APC, Dr Azeez Olatunde, Ajimobi, at the meeting, further warned the women against factionalising the party in the name of vanguards or movements.
Part of the party’s statement after the meeting read, “His Excellency, Senator Abiola Ajimobi used the opportunity to appreciate the qualities of all the party aspirants to the governorship position as top notch and insisted that he has not endorsed anybody as his successor.
Rather, Senator Abiola Ajimobi is praying for a God fearing successor and even implored more aspirants to throw their hats to the ring.”
Some of those who attended the meeting included, wife of the state governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi; State Chairman, Chief Akin Oke; Secretary to the State Government, Mr Olalekan Alli; State Women Leader, Mrs Mabel Williams, Honourables Bolanle Agbaje and Wumi Oladeji; Former member of the House of Representatives, Hon Kemi Olunloyo; Former Commissioner, Mrs Kemi Jayeoba; only female elected Chairperson, Mrs Fatima Gidado of Oriire North LCDA.
Speaking after the meeting, Mrs Ajimobi echoed prayers of women of the state for more female representatives at the state and national assembly.
She argued that women more loyal than men, praying for opportunities for more women to serve in government.
“Those who are yet to benefit, there is enough dividends of democracy. We want more women at the state and national assembly. We have told him (Ajimobi) that women are more loyal than men,” Mrs Ajimobi said.
