A member of the Federal House of Representatives, representing Ibadan North Constituency, Honourable Abiodun Dada Awoleye has boasted that Governor Abiola Ajimobi will hand over the baton to him on May 29, 2019.
The former Oyo State House of Assembly member, Awoleye while featuring on a special democracy day edition of the South West Group of Online Publishers’ (SWEGOP) breakfast media chat today in Ibadan, declared his intention to run for the most exalted position in Oyo state come 2019. “I told Oga that (Ajimobi) as his victory was ‘Koseleri’, another ‘Koseleri’ will happen in 2019 when he will be handing over to me.
” Remember, Lam Adesina did not handover to Ladoja, Ladoja too did not handover to Akala, Akala did not also handover to Ajimobi but Ajimobi will hand over to me”, the lawmaker boasted. The APC chieftain also disclosed that he is certain of the support of Governor Ajimobi.
“Contesting for the Governor of Oyo State is not something that was thought of today. I had always had the ambition to run and 2019 is the opportunity to run. In 2016, a lot of people called on me to run for the governorship position and I want to honour their call”, said the lawmaker.
Speaking further, the two term House of Representatives member added, “I am aware that there are many others interested in running for the governorship position but I can tell you that there is none of them that can rate at par with me. It is not possible to get the support of the people if you have no relationship with the grass root.
“I am a grass root politician; I am very close to the people and I relate well with them. Besides, many of these people who have indicated interest to run have no deep ties with the party. They believe they can just come with their money and hand twist people to get to power but it is not possible. Among those that have declared their intentions, I am the only one who knows the intricacies and the ideology of APC. Not many of them know the ideology of the party.
“ As a lawmaker, my record and achievements are there to speak for me. I have been with the party from the very beginning and I have never decamped to another party. People trust Abiodun Awoleye and I believe I am the best candidate to do the job of the Governor come 2019. I am aware that many of the other candidates are going around touting that Ajimobi is supporting them, which is wrong. I am sure that the Governor will give each of us equal chances to garner our support, so I am not afraid of anyone,” Awoleye noted.
In like manner, reacting to Oke-Ogun agitation for power shift in the state, he said, “I am aware that there are some people from that region who are also interested in the race but what determines who will be the next governor is not where he comes from but, his antecedents, qualities and programs.
“ I have a lot of supporters in Oke Ogun and other zones and I will ensure equity in my government, I will make sure that they all have fair share in allocation of infrastructures and other things that will enhance development”, he assured.
