Sen. Folarin wins Oyo APC governorship primary

Politics

Lawmaker representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, Teslim Folarin has been declared the winner of the All Progressive Congress gubernatorial primary.

Folarin defeated five other aspirants who contested the election held, on Friday, at the liberty Stadium, in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital. He garnered 954 votes while his closest challenger, Adebayo Adelabu garnered 327 votes. 

Also Azeez Adeduntan had 2 votes, Engineer Akeem Alao had 6 votes, Barrister Hakeem Agbaje had 16 votes while 11 votes were counted invalid.

You will recall that the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary was postponed from Thursday to Friday due to an influx of non-delegates into the venue and security reasons.

Six aspirants obtained forms and were screened by the party. Four aspirants were present at the venue of the primary. Chief Bayo Adelabu was absent.

Earlier, Chief Niyi Akintola pulled out of the primary alleging that the delegates list has been tampered with.

Akintola has also petitioned the leadership of the party stating that any primary election held on another day aside the day announced by the party is invalid.

Mr Folarin, in his acceptance speech, expressed undiluted resolve to rescue Oyo State from what he called “maladministration of the PDP-led government”.    

“I wholeheartedly accept my nomination as Oyo State Governorship Candidate of the APC for the 2023 general elections.”

He said that with their continuous cooperation, understanding and support, “we shall return Oyo APC to winning ways in 2023.”

According to him, “my nomination by the majority of our party delegates has further reinforced my conviction that God and the good people of Oyo State are indeed behind my 2023 Rescue Mission.

“I want to state that there is no victor, no vanquished in the contest for the 2023 governorship ticket of our great party,” the other aspirants are also eminently qualified to govern our dear state.”

“Let’s come together as family members to build a formidable and indivisible Oyo APC that is capable of ensuring electoral victories in 2023,” he said.