Oyo state Governor Senator Abiola Ajimobi today met with 26 gubernatorial aspirants under the platform of All progressives Congress. APC
The meeting which was held at the governor’s house was attended by the party chairman , Chief Akin Oke and the secretary Alhaji Olaoya
Apart from the minister of Communications Barrister Adebayo Shittu, virtually all other aspirants including a former governor of Oyo state Otunba Adebayo Alao Akala were in attendance
They includes: Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, Soji Eniade, Kehinde Olaosebikan, Dr Sola Ayandele. Ayo Kareem, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, professor Soji Adejumo. Chief Bayo Adelabu ,Olalekan Alli, Barr. Niyi Akintola SAN, Mr. Isaac Omodewu, Dr Isaac Owolabi, Dr. Azees Adeduntan
Barrister Morohunkola Thomas, Mr Sunday Dare
A close aide to the Minister, who spoke with DAILY POST in confidence, said he was not sure if the Minister, Adebayo Shittu was invited, noting that this may be responsible for his absence at the meeting.
He said, “Let me tell you the truth, I was told that the governor has called a meeting and he has reduced the aspirants to four. He has called some of them, he held a meeting with them and he told them that they should step down for the four
Addressing journalist at the end of the meeting that lasted the entire day, Governor Ajimobi who described the meeting as a family meeting noted that it was to appreciate the array and caliber of the aspirants interested in succeeding him at next year’s election, noting that the party parades the best and most qualified aspirants when compared the caliber of people who are seeking the governor seat from other political parties across the state.
He noted that with the aspirants meeting, which is more like a military ‘show of force’ to show to the people of the state that the APC is the only party in the state, he noted that the aspirants have agred to work together and support whosoever emerges from the party primary.
Deny the insinuations that he would name four top contenders for the governorship slot in the party, Ajimobi described such news credited to him as false and mere political talks wondering why he would announce four names when the party is actually in need of one flagbearer.
He however stressed that despite calls from the aspirants at the meeting to persuade him (Ajimobi) to select one or two candidates that would contest, Governor Ajimobi said he refused to heed the call so as not to be accused of being the one who handpicked the candidate but insisted that all the aspirants should meet and agree on either a consensus candidate or nominate some.
He added that it was also agreed that if the idea of a consensus candidate was not reached by the aspirants, the nominated candidates would determine the eventual flagbearer through indirect primary that would held later.
On the resignation order of political appointees seeking elective positions, Ajimobi said the reason why the decision was reached was to have more focus people either as political appointees or as political aspirants, noting that the decision will help to prune down the number of aspirants as separate serious contenders from mere gamblers.
He added that the decision will also allow the government allow some other individuals opportunity of political appointment with the remaining nine months to the end of the political dispensativirtually
