By Adams Akorede
THREE gubernatorial candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Mr. Bayo Adelabu, Seyi Makinde and Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN respectively on Friday locked down the city of Ibadan, Oyo state as the gubernatorial campaign for the 2019 took off in the 42year-old Pacesetter state.
The state Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi supported by the state party executives officially showcased Adelabu to the public at an event tagged official presentation of Oyo APC candidates and symbolic presentation of party flag to the gubernatorial candidate, held at the State Party Secretariat, Oke Ado.
Ajimobi used the occasion to dispel the rumour that Adelabu was imposed on him, just as he boasted that all the APC candidates would win the 2019 elections.
At Makinde’s unveiling of the PDP running mate, Alhaji Rauf Olaniyan, held at the Premier Hotel, Ibadan, three former Ministers; Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, Mrs. Jumoke Akinjide and Elder Wole Oyelese including a Board of Trustees member, Dr. Saka Balogun, Senator Robert Koleoso and Alhaja Bose Adedibu spoke one after the other and expressed confidence that the PDP would take over power from the ruling APC in 2019.
Makinde said electorate are eagerly waiting for the PDP to bring back era of prosperity and abundant life for the masses through reinvigorated agricultural policy, social welfare for the youth, the elderly and vulnerable and more importantly, homegrown economic policies to make the state self-sufficient and vibrant to guarantee enough allocation locally as against ‘the current cap in hand to Abuja for federal allocation and bail out funds”.
Also, the State Chairman of the SDP, Chief Niyi Ajewole at the media briefing held at the state party Secretariat, Yemetu Ibadan, said the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Chief Ayorinde remained the candidate to beat in 2019, saying the purported adoption of PDP candidate by the SDP was “a fraud taken too far by some disgruntled elements in the party”.
Ajewole flanked by Ayorinde and other local government executives, said, “the national headquarters of the SDP made it abundantly clear that the party is not joining any coalition but forging ahead to contest and win the forthcoming general election. Our candidate is a reputable legal practitioner. He stands out and above any other candidate being paraded by any other political party in Oyo state”.
