Critical stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress APC in Oyo state have restated their determination to continue supporting the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against all odds even as they expressed optimism that efforts being put in place by the federal government to tackle current economic challenges would soon begin to yield desired results.
This submission formed the core of the address delivered by the leaders of Oyo APC delegation which paid a courtesy visit on the national chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, and members of the National Working Committee of the APC at the Abuja national secretariat on Thursday. The 25-man delegation led by the state chairman, Barrister Isaac Omodewu, was comprised of three former deputy governors, members of the State Working Committee, serving and former federal lawmakers among others.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the director-general of the APC Presidential and Governorship Election Campaign Council in Oyo state, Dr. Isiaka Kolawole, stated that the team was in Abuja to formally convey a message of appreciation to the national chairman who paid an official visit to the Oyo state chapter of the APC in Ibadan few weeks ago and to also assure the national leadership of an unflinching support for the new administration of President Bola Tinubu.
His words; “We are here, at Buhari House, to demonstrate our renewed commitment to the cause of our dear party and to also restate our resolve to continue working assiduously for the success of Tinubu administration having played a.pivotal role in its emergence. The recent visit of our new national chairman, His Excellency, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, to our state secretariat in Ibadan is an indication that the new leadership of our great Party would not leave any stone unturned to move APC forward in Nigeria and we are determined to key into this Project.
“You would recall that Oyo was second to Kano state as we had the largest population of delegates at the last APC presidential primary and this had made us a beautiful bride to all the presidential aspirants at that time but nevertheless, we delivered 97 per cent of our delegate votes to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu because we realized he stood tall among the best hands which we had at that time. We then capped it up with a record of emerging the fourth (out of 36 states and the FCT) where APC had the majority votes at the February 25 presidential election with 449, 884 votes. This is no mean feat by all standard but today some selfish individuals are trying to rewrite history just to score cheap political points.
“Even though we are not here to exhibit any sense of entitlement or lodge any complaint because we have absolute confidence in Mr. President, it is important we tell our story with a view to setting the record straight as we do not want the sacrifices of genuine party members to go unrewarded. Apart from the fact we won for the poll for Sen. Bola Tinubu, we delivered the three senatorial and nine (out of possible fourteen) House of Representatives seats to the candidates of our Party beating rivals from the ruling party (PDP). And moving forward, we have now put machinery in place to drive the anticipated reelection of President Tinubu in 2027 and we are not looking back regardless of the challenges we are facing at the moment”. Kolawole stated.
In his response, Dr. Ganduje thanked the delegation for the courtesy visit and he assured that necessary actions would be taken to address all the issues by both the state chairman and Dr. Kolawole who spoke for the visiting team. “I know how important every state chapter is and I can assure all of you that Oyo APC will be assisted to become stronger and more formidable for party faithful to have their dreams fulfilled. We appreciate your contributions so far and we urge you to remain steadfast and forward looking”. Ganduje added.
The Oyo APC delegation included; former deputy governors Chief Iyiola Oladokun, Moses Adeyemo, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan as well as Sen. Abdulfatai Buhari, Chief Akin Oke, Engr. Idris Adeoye, Alh. Tajudeen Olanite, Hon. Segun Odebunmi, Chief Sunday Dare (former Minister for Youth and Sports), Alh. Olalekan Alli (former SSG), Mrs. Tinuade Adigun, Hon. Kehinde Subair, Engr. Dayo Lawal, Hon. Seyi Adisa, Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela, Chief Francis Babalola, Hon. Mojeed Olaoya, Mr. Olalekan Busari, Hon. Wumi Oladeji, Mrs. Yinka Adebayo, Olawale Sadare, Mr. John Aremu, Hon. Afeez Bolaji Repete, Barr. Waheed Lawal, Alh. Akeem Alawuje, Hon. Tunji Akinbiyi and Mrs. Titilope Gbadamosi.