As stakeholders prepare for the bye-election to fill the vacant Ibadan North Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives, the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Alhaji Olayide Abas, has declared that only constitutional and democratic means will be used to select the party’s candidate from the pool of aspirants.
Abas made this declaration during a stakeholders’ meeting held on Thursday at the Oke-Ado state secretariat of the party.
According to the party chairman, the meeting was organized to initiate the process of reclaiming the seat, which became vacant following the death of Honourable Olaide Akinremi, who was serving his second term on the APC platform.
He said, “It took us several weeks to come to terms with the reality of the demise of our man, Prince Akinremi, who was one of the best-performing federal lawmakers in the country.
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“Because nature abhors a vacuum, it is imperative that we find a replacement. It is an established fact that only the APC can provide a candidate worthy of filling the position left by the late occupant.
“We are aware that about 20 members of the APC in Ibadan North Federal Constituency have expressed interest in becoming the party’s candidate for the anticipated bye-election. I am particularly delighted that each aspirant is qualified to represent this all-important constituency in the Green Chamber.
“However, the large number of aspirants has raised concerns, but I assure you that we will ensure fairness to all involved.
“Ibadan North Federal Constituency cannot afford to have a representative whose voice will not be heard due to party inferiority. This is yet another reason why an APC candidate must return to that seat.
“All hands are on deck as stakeholders within and outside the state have shown their readiness to support the party’s candidate. We appeal to party leaders, aspirants, and other stakeholders in the constituency to cooperate with us as we work towards conducting a free and fair process for selecting the party’s candidate.”
Speaking on behalf of the APC aspirants who attended the meeting, Honourable Musibau Ayinla commended the party’s leadership in the state for its pragmatic approach and assurance of fairness to all aspirants.
“We are indeed gladdened by what we have seen so far from the Alhaji Olayide Abas-led leadership of our great party. We, the aspirants, understand what is at stake, and we will not disappoint party members and the good people of Ibadan North.
“We all pledge to support whoever emerges from a fair and transparent primary election,” Ayinla said.
Other aspirants present at the meeting included Olusegun Olaleye (Radical Brother), Wale Olatunji (Murphy), Adekunle Oladeji, Umar Arisekola Alao, AbdulRasaq AbdulGaniyy, Khalil Mustapha, Kamil Omotosho, Taofeek Aderogba, and Idris Babatunde Lapade.
State party leaders at the meeting included Alhaji Tajudeen Olanite, Honourable Mojeed Olaoya, Honourable Kehinde Subair, Alhaja Tinuade Adigun, Honourable Olawale Sadare, Honourable Afeez Bolaji Repete, Honourable Prince John Aremu, Honourable Akeem Olatunji, and Honourable Sayo Fatoki.
