Osun 2018: Battle For APC Ticket Begins

By Shina Abubakar

As the All Progressives Congress (APC) allows its prospective aspirants to publicly declare their intention to vie for its ticket ahead of the July Primary election, the party has given its aspirants directives as to the red lines it does not expect them to cross during any of their activities.

The rules has on top of the list, N500,000 intention fee, which the party expected all aspirants to pay before embarking on campaign programme, adding that each aspirants is expected to embark on a decent, colourful statewide mobilization of members and promotion of the party.

It further disclosed that their no aspirant should embark on hate speech or promotion of neither rancour nor maligning the party or government in any form and aspirants should strive to foster unity among party faithful without enhancing faction within the party.

Also, the party insisted that campaign issues should focus on the state of economy while adding that it should be modest, well organised and not necessarily exorbitant.

It ordered that all aspirants must flag-off their campaigns from the party secretariat in the state capital and itinerary approved by the party.

Aspirants, the party, insist must avoid statements or actions that could embarrass the party or government and should conduct themselves and campaign teams with decorum, pride and dignity.

The party also insisted that aspirant should guarantee maximum security at campaign venue to ensure the safety of party members and the general populace.

The state party chairman, Prince Gboyega Famodun while addressing the aspirants said that the party ought to have met them to set the ball rolling for political activities to commence in earnest, but the right time is not late, urging them to desist from act that could lead them to losing the composure and calmness with which they started their ambition.

He reminded the aspirants that the interest of the party and the state is superior to their individuals ambition, hence, the party expected them to work for the greater good of the party and ensure its victory in the September 22, governorship poll in the state.

According to him, our party is not just any political party established to contest election and fill political offices. It has been built through time as the party of the people which extols the Yoruba virtues of Omoluabi as the driving ethos.

“It is a tendency that has emerged as a platform for the pursuit of good governance and the welfare of the people by patriots that personified the Omoluabi ethos. Our ideals, handed down over the ages have been egalitarianism, integrity in leadership and uncompromising pursuit of the interest of our people. This is the current manifestation of AG, SDP, AD, AC, and ACN. These are the parties of Awolowo,Adekunle Ajasin, Abraham Adesanya, Bola lge, Bisi Akande and Tinubu.

“This is what separates us from the others. Our leaders, up till the present moment have been willing to pay any price and forego any personal comfort and interest in the pursuit of these ends.

He disclosed that all the aspirants are well qualified to govern the state, especially as they have all paid their dues in nurturing the party to the enviable height it is today and urged them to remain focus not to allow personal interest jeopardize the chances of the party in the coming poll.

“The governorship of the state and the ultimate victory of our party are bigger than any of us and our personal aspiration. We must all strive towards the same objective, which is the pursuit of the public interest and the welfare of our people. We must know that only one of us can win, no matter the efforts all of us put into it”.

However, reacting on behalf of all the aspirants, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salaam pledged the commitment of all aspirants to the success of the party.

He however urged the party to consider all aspirants as equal and provide a level playing ground for all without picking anyone as its favourite in the build up to the July 7, 2018 primary election as he called on the party supporters to see the struggle for the ticket as an internal affairs that must not be engulf in crisis.

Fielding question from journalist after the meeting, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representative, Hon. Lasun Yusuf said his ambition is not a do-or-die affair and he is ready to support whoever emerges from a transparent and credible primary election later in July this year.

 

 

List Of Aspirants

1 Alhaji Moshood Adeoti (Secretary to the State Government) –  Osun West

2 Dr. Najeem Salaam (Speaker, Osun House of Assembly) – Osun West

3. Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola (Chief of Staff) – Osun Central
4. Hon. Lasun Yusuf (Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives) – Osun Central
5. Elder Peter Babalola (Chairman, Local Government Service Commission) – Osun West
6. Mr. Babatunde Taiwo – Osun Central
7. Mr. Kunle Rasheed Adegoke –  Osun Central
8. Mr. Benedict Alabi – Osun West
9. Engineer Adelere Oriolowo – Osun West
10. Hon. Gafar Amere – Osun West
11. Mr. Rauf Adekunle Olabamiji – Osun West
12. Oluomo Sunday Akere (Former Commissioner for Information & Strategy) –  Osun Central
13. Dr. Oyebola Oyemomi – Osun-West
14. Mr. Dayo Oyebanji – Osun West
15. Dr. Samuel Ibiyemi – Osun East
16. Mr. Saka Layonu – Osun West
17. Dr. Isiaka Owoade – Osun West
18. Engr Ayoade Lawal
19. Dr. Taofeek Olayinka Ayinde – Osun West
20. Chief Biodun Fajobi – Osun West
21. Hon. Yinka Ajayi – Osun Central
22. Mrs. Akanbi Alimot Bolanle
23. Alhaji Ayodele Fatai
24. Alao Olabisi Kamoru
25. Jolayemi Kamoru
26. Engr. Mumini R. Olabamiji
27. Elder G.T. Adediji