Leaders of the Labour Party (LP) as well as those of the African Action Congress (AAC) have met and declared support for the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Teslim Folarin.
Folarin, who was represented by the deputy director general of his campaign, Yemi Aderibigbe, and the Local Organizing Committee Chairman Idris Adeoye said he would carry everyone along in the scheme of things, promising that nobody would be discriminated against, as he believed that everyone had something great to contribute.
“You can take it to the bank. Whatever we do today will not be taken for granted. We understand what you have done. We will not disappoint you. Our candidate, Sen. Teslim Folarin, that you are supporting is the best.
“There is no problem with us with your coming into our party. Nearly all the local government areas have been won. We want you to repeat the feat you did last week. We will enjoy the benefit together,” said Aderibigbe, speaking on behalf of Folarin.
Corroborating Aderibigbe, Adeoye described that Sen. Folarin as a progressive-minded person who would ensure that nobody is not left behind:
“He is someone who would carry everyone along. We know all you did last week during the presidential election. So rest assured. You have become a greater part of us.”
Speaking earlier, the pioneer chairman of the African Action Congress
(AAC) in the state, Rotimi Ogunlana, disclosed that the AAC members decided to team up with Folarin because of their love for Oyo state.
“We believe that things cannot continue to go this way. Folarin is experienced and has track record. We believe that if we support him, he will do well. We are moving from agitation to participation,” said Rotimi.
For his part, the Oyo State Secretary of the Labour Party (LP), Gabriel Ogunlana, stated:
“We are all for the same thing. We were not more than 4 when we started LP. Because of democratic principles that I have, the leaders of this party gave me opportunity to be made secretary.
“What brought us here is that we don’t have a solid gubernatorial candidate that can challenge the incumbent who has performed woefully.”
Ogunlana disclosed that a meeting had been called and 23 Labour Party local government area chairmen had decided that Sen. Teslim Folarin of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was their best bet, having learned that some LP members, who he said had no influence, had, after the presidential election, gone to declare support for Governor Seyi Makinde (who is seeking a re-election) without calling a congress to seek approval.
“I am the youngest; they only honoured me by making me state secretary. What we are doing today, I know they will victimize us. This is to say that you must be ready to accommodate us. They betrayed us; that is why we are here,” said Ogunlana.
Wale Akinremi, who brokered the meeting, expressed joy at the reception, saying he knew the strength of the LP and the activism of the AAC in Oyo state and gave thanks to God for everything.
The youth leader of the APC in Oyo state, John Aremu, who spoke at the meeting enjoined the party to see them as members of the family.
A former deputy national youth leader of the APC, Afeez Bolaji, who also spoke, said it was good the LP was teaming up with the APC.
