The leadership of the Labour Party in Oyo state, on Sunday, adopted the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Governor Seyi Makinde.
This is coming six days to the gubernatorial election, which is slated to hold on March 11 in the state.
Speaking during a press conference, which adopted the Oyo state governor as its gubernatorial candidate, the state chairman of the party, Hon. Sodiq Atayese said the action was based on the similarity in ideology of both parties.
The meeting held on Sunday at the party’s Secretariat, Molete, Ibadan.
Atayese added that PDP led administration in the state resonates with that of Labour Party, hence, the need to support his re-election ahead of Taofiq Akinwale, who is the gubernatorial candidate of Labour Party.
The event was attended by all the State Working Committee of the party, National Assembly and State Assembly candidates and members of the party.
Oyo Labour Party Endorse Seyi Makinde Re-election Bid
Oyo State chapter of the Labour Party has endorsed the re-election bid of Governor Seyi Makinde of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP.
The party made the announcement at a Press conference held at its state headquarters in Ibadan on Sunday ahead of the March 11 governorship and House of Assmebly elections in the state.
Briefing the journalists at the event after the meeting with Labour Party members in the State, the party’s chairman in the state, Atayase Sadiq, stated that the decision was made following a comprehensive discussion with members of the party across the 33 local government areas.
In his words: “The last Presidential election was keenly contested by the three major parties in the country and the result of the election as announced by INEC shows that the Labour Party is a force to reckon with.”
“The result of the Presidential election in Oyo State is similar to that. While the result of the election in its entirety is still a subject of contention, the takehome of the election is that a third force party that emerged barely a year ago has grown to become a strong force because of the quality of its candidate.
“Having considered this, in the upcoming election in our dear state, we have decided to support a candidate with the character, competence and capacity to lead and who is also concerned about the wellbeing of the citizens as it is obvious that no party can win the gubernatorial election alone.
“However, the main priority should be that the citizens win through the emergence of a candidate that best serves their interest.
“Based on this, we have decided to work with the party whose candidate aligns with ours in terms of security, agricultural development and financial well-being. And it is obvious that the current administration of Seyi Makinde has done this.
“And we hereby call on all citizens of Oyo State to vote for him. This decision was taken with serious consideration for the party’s future in the state,” he explained.
Atayase, while clarifying further, emphasized that the Labour Party hasn’t collapsed it structure in the state remain intact as its House of Assembly candidates across the state are still in the race.
He added that the National Secretariat is also aware of the state’s decision.