Osun Election: Oyinlola-led PDP faction endorses APC candidate

A significant political shift has occurred in Osun State as a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, officially endorsed the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Oyebamiji, also known as AMBO. This endorsement comes just ahead of Saturday's governorship election.

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Let me begin by making one thing very clear: we remain members of the Peoples Democratic Party, the PDP. Our membership of the PDP is not in question.

The Oyinlola-led group, associated with the Saminu Turaki-PDP faction, mobilized members from across the state's local government areas to declare their support for Oyebamiji. The endorsement event in Osogbo was attended by prominent figures, including Fatai Akinbade, a former governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Secretary to the State Government under Oyinlola, and Taju Oladipo, a former PDP South-West Vice Chairman.

During the gathering, Oyinlola clarified that the group remains committed PDP members but felt compelled to support Oyebamiji for the "larger interest of Osun State." He emphasized that party loyalty, while important, should not supersede the well-being and progress of the state. "Party loyalty is important, but the interest of Osun State must always come first," Oyinlola stated.

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However, being members of a political party does not mean that we should abandon our conscience or the larger interest of the people we have served. Party loyalty is important, but the interest of Osun State must always come first.

Oyinlola explained that the decision was driven by a perceived need for a change in the state's governance and alleged that the current administration has failed to adequately involve political stakeholders. He recalled their significant efforts in supporting the current administration's emergence, believing it represented the people's aspirations. However, he noted that "things began to fall apart" due to a "lack of inclusiveness in the governance of our state."

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It is on this basis that we have resolved to officially declare our support for Mr Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC

He further asserted that his group's political experience allowed them to assess the state's situation accurately. "We believe strongly that no party or government can succeed sustainably when it does not carry its people and leaders along," Oyinlola added. He reiterated that his endorsement should not be misconstrued as abandoning the PDP, highlighting his past service as Governor of Osun State for seven and a half years.

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Unfortunately, along the line, things began to fall apart. One of the major issues that have created this unfortunate situation, in our considered view, is the lack of inclusiveness in the governance of our state