A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State led by former governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola has declared support for the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of Saturday’s election.
Drivetvnews gathered that Oyinlola announced the group’s decision on Sunday in Osogbo during an event organised to endorse Oyebamiji’s candidacy.
The former governor, who was accompanied by former Secretary to the State Government Fatai Akinbade and former PDP National Vice Chairman, South-West, Tajudeen Oladipo, said the decision was driven by concerns over the way Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration had handled governance.
He specifically cited what he described as a lack of inclusiveness in the running of the state.
Oyinlola, however, stressed that the group had not defected from the PDP despite its decision to support the APC candidate.
He said the group remained committed to the PDP but had chosen to exercise its conscience by backing Oyebamiji, whom they believed could provide a different direction for Osun State.
According to Oyinlola, the group had initially supported the PDP project, mobilised its members and invested political resources because it believed the party represented the aspirations of the people.
He said the situation later changed due to what he described as inadequate consultation and participation in government.
Oyinlola urged Oyebamiji, if elected, to prioritise good governance, economic development, infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture and youth empowerment.
He also called for an inclusive administration in which all parts of the state would feel represented.
Akinbade and Oladipo separately appealed to PDP members across Osun to vote for Oyebamiji, describing the decision to support the APC candidate as one made in the interest of the state rather than for personal gain.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, welcomed the endorsement and described Oyinlola as an experienced grassroots politician whose political record remained significant.
Oyetola also urged residents to remain peaceful during the election period.
Responding to the endorsement, Oyebamiji said the support from different groups across Osun had strengthened his confidence ahead of the poll.
He said he had visited all the local government areas in the state several times and received support from various groups, including artisans, traders, teachers, women, youths and elderly residents.
Oyebamiji also rejected allegations of possible electoral manipulation, saying such claims reflected fear of defeat.
He promised to run an inclusive government and assured the Oyinlola-led group that he would not disappoint them if elected.
Meanwhile, efforts to obtain a reaction from the Osun State PDP chairman, Sunday Bisi, were unsuccessful. Calls to his phone did not connect, while he had not responded to a message sent to him via WhatsApp at the time the report was filed.
