The internal wrangling within the camp of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo State, is subsiding as Teslim Kolawole Folarin, governorship candidate of the party, led other aspirants to his Ona-Ara local government.
During the two-day visits, spanning Thursday and Friday, Yunus Akintunde who is aiming to take over from Folarin in Oyo central; Akin Alabi, who is seeking re-election in Egbeda/Ona-Ara as well as Hon. Akanni Ere, a former council chairman who wants to represent Ona-Ara state constituency, were introduced to the people of the local government.
Folarin, during the 2-day visits, had interactions Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in Akanran, Tioya and Kobolese areas of Ona-Ara LGA and Inukan LCDA. He also had closed-doors meetings with other critical stakeholders.
Folarin thanked the stakeholders in his council area for the support he has been enjoying since he has been representing them.
In one of the meetings, Folarin revealed why he wanted to governor of the state from 2023, explaining that he has what it takes to bring the necessary development.
“I am not boastful. I have the conviction that I can do better than the present occupant and I am prepared than before to ensure I get the people’s votes in the coming election. We will get to a stage where I would reveal my action plans to you. We have not got to campaign stage. This is just to thank you and familiarize myself and our other candidates with you more.
“For emphasis, all what I have been able to achieve, these people- our candidates, have hands in it. Dr Yunus Akintunde is a contractor. He has the right connections in Abuja. If we elect him to take over from me, you will enjoy him. Even without him being in power, he has facilitated a lot of projects. He has helped us opened some doors in Abuja. In fact, we were looking for ways to beg the late Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi to help talk to him to take over from me when the monarch said he was his choice. As for Akin Alabi, he has bee representing us here since 2019 and we have all seen what he has been able to facilitate. He has always been in touch, activating his contacts for the betterment of his constituents. Akanni was our council chairman here and we all saw what he did in just a little time. Let’s support them and we won’t regret it.”
Speaking to some aggrieved APC members, Folarin thanked them for expressing their minds, assuring that everybody would be carried along in the scheme of things.
Said he: “There are many opportunities in government. We have just a little over 50 elective positions in the state. All of us can’t have it. That is the beauty of democracy. Appointments are more than elective positions. Let’s join hands together to ensure victory for our party and we will all benefit. I know what we all want is avenue to showcase our leadership ability. There are lots of opportunities. It is normal for you to express your mind. I beg of you, let’s sheathe our sword. We don’t have any other party than APC.
Responding on behalf of the aggrieved, Hon. Ogunsola Olubayo said “We are grateful that you accepted to come to our midst. And we are also appreciative of the fact that you know we are angry. We want to tell you not to leave us behind in the scheme of things from now on.”
Senator Teslim Folarin was joined by his colleague, Senator AbdulFatai Buhari and other party stakeholders.
