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From Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan
Crisis has hit the Labour Party (LP) in Oyo State over the adoption of Governor Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as candidate for the election.
The cracks in the wall of LP became noticeable, yesterday, with the party’s governorship candidate, Tawfiq Akinwale, saying he was not ready to step down for anyone, and was in the gubernatorial race to win.
Chairman of LP in the state, Sadeeq Atayese, at a press conference had said: “In the upcoming election in our dear state, we have decided to support a candidate with the character, competence and capacity to lead and who is also concerned about the wellbeing of the citizens as it is obvious that no party can win the gubernatorial election alone.
“However, the main priority should be that the citizens win through the emergence of a candidate that best serves their interest. Bases on this, we have decided to work with the party whose candidate aligns with ours in terms of security, agricultural development and financial well-being.
And it is obvious that the current administration of Seyi Makinde has done this. And we hereby call on all citizens of Oyo State to vote for him. This decision was taken with serious consideration for the party’s future in the state.”
But the LP governorship candidate, Akinwale, in a statement minutes before the party’s press conference disassociated himself from the plot by the party to throw its weight behind Makide.
“I am addressing you at this press time based on information made available to me that the Oyo State Labour Party Chairman, Sodiq Atayese will be leading some candidates of the party to declare support for the outgoing governor Seyi Makinde of the PDP ahead of the March 11, 2023 governorship election.
It is with great shock that I received this information and I totally dissociate myself from and outrightly condemn such a callous move.
“I, Tawfik Tayo Akinwale, hereby declare and reemphasize that I did not and will not step down for any candidate or party, be it outgoing Seyi Makinde or any other person. My people, your support, efforts, and prayers have pushed us this far and I will not betray you all for any reason.
I want to advise anyone planning to sell out the struggles, efforts, resources, time, and sweats of many of my ardent supporters and lovers of the Labour Party to quickly cancel such plans to avert the anger of God upon them.”
