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Say APC scribe Basiru not a problem
From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
Local Government chairmen in Osun State have appealed to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, to cede the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji.
The same appeal was made by the chairmen who served from 2017 to 2022, who disclosed their agreement after a meeting held at the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Office, Osogbo, on Monday.
Speaking on behalf of the chairmen, the former Chairman of Boluwaduro Council, Hon. Akeem Tokede, disclosed that they have launched a campaign group called Grassrooters for AMBO to promote Oyebamiji.
He said, “The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, remains our preferred gubernatorial candidate, but if he chooses not to contest, the NIWA boss should be given the ticket.
“If the minister decides not to re-contest, he should cede the ticket to Oyebamiji because he has the charisma to deliver victory for our party when we work for him.
“We believe that with our structure as local government chairmen, we are at the grassroots and have the ability to mobilise and campaign for the NIWA boss to emerge victorious in the election,” Tokede said.
Responding to questions about the ambition of the National Secretary of the APC, Senator Ajibola Basiru, Tokede said Basiru is qualified to contest, but the decision of the party would prevail over him if Oyetola anoints Oyebamiji.
He said, “Senator Basiru cannot destabilise the party if he is not given the gubernatorial ticket. I have worked with him before; he is a core party man who recognises leadership.
“Basiru is eminently qualified to contest, and we considered that, but we are throwing our weight behind the NIWA boss following our meeting,” Tokede added.
