Barely a month after a pressure group vowed to drag the lawmaker representing Oyo North Senatorial district, Senator AbdulFatai Buhari, into the gubernatorial contest for 2023 in Oyo state, another group known as Pacesetter Women Arise Vanguard has also come out to make a similar call with a declaration that the federal lawmaker remained the best choice for the state in the next general election.
PWAV, which is an amalgamation of women in politics and private business, made their position known at the weekend in a statement issued in Ibadan and made available to news correspondents by its Convener, Mrs
Abosede Akininu and Secretary Mrs. Toyin Awodele. The group advocated that competence, character and track record should form the parameter for electing governors for a state like Oyo and not deep pocket, geopolitical zone or other sentimental considerations.
According to the Group; “Electorate and masses in the society have got to take their role, in our developing democracy to a higher level by not always subjecting themselves to the dictates of fake democrats and deceitful gladiators. It is time we, as critical stakeholders, started identifying the right persons for key positions and supporting same to reach such destination for the overall benefit of the larger society.
“We have come to establish the fact that only the best is good for Oyo state at all time and henceforth, the people should begin to have a say in the choice of gubernatorial candidates of the major political parties. Since the noisiest among contenders have always had an edge over others as it was the case in 2019 but without the wherewithal to deliver as desired, it is now imperative for us to look more inward and take our collective destiny in our hands.
“Without mincing words, our choice in the lawmaker currently representing Oyo North Senatorial district in the Red Chamber, Sen. AbdulFatai Buhari, as the worthy successor to the incumbent in 2023 is informed by his enviable record as a responsible servant in various political Offices since 2003, academic par excellence and a man of great ideas who is capable of restoring Oyo state to its Pacesetter status in no time.
“Sen. Buhari has always been the best federal lawmaker ever in the history of Oyo state in addition to his enviable track record as a Special Adviser and Commissioner during the administration of late Sen. Abiola Ajimobi. Hardly would a week roll by without him having to register a laudable impact on the lives of his constituents and also people outside Oyo North such that many people began to ask questions bothering on how he manages to do most good things considered beyond the capability of a lawmaker.
“He dazzles at the plenary in the National Assembly and he moves round the nooks and crannies of the entire thirteen local government councils in Oyo North frequently as if he does not leave his Senatorial district for a single day. Sen. Buhari knows the divergent plight of each community in his domain and he would never shy away from identifying with the residents with a view to bringing succour to them.
“As a Group with keen interest in the politics and governance of our dear state, we are not oblivious of the fact that Sen. Buhari made an attempt to be governor in 2019 but he was prevailed upon by the leadership of his party (APC) to take another shot at the Senate which he reluctantly did. This time, we are urging him to throw his hat into the ring as we assure him of our unflinching support because we have strong conviction that he is the best man for the job.” PWAV stated.
