By Seyifunmi Odunuga
Aspirants for Oyo State House of Assembly and other positions in Ibadan South West constituencies 1and 2, under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have called on Governor Seyi Makinde, not to allow the wish of some political leaders to impose candidates to reign supreme over the wishes of the people.
The aspirants after a meeting agreed that the leadership of the party should allow candidates to test their popularity based on their political antecedents.
The aspirants who jointly signed a press release after a meeting include Ishola, Abiodun Baruwa, Oladoyinbo, Akinloye Yinka, Alimi, Kabiru, Alimi, Rahmon Abina, Lawal, Morufu Olawale and Adewale, Idris Adebiyi, all from constituency 1.
Other aspirants who also signed the document made available to journalists are Alarape, Kaleem Abidemi, Samson Opeyemi Fatola and Muyideen Adeniyi Adedibu.
Also, Adebayo Oladipupo, Babatunde George Ige, Gbenga Folorunsho Elebolo and Oluwafemi Gbenga E, all from constituency 2 of the same local government, signed the letter.
The letter which was addressed to the state chairman of the party read, “We write to inform you that after a series of meetings with all our leaders, we the aspirants in Ibadan South West Local Government both constituencies 1and 2 have agreed to settle for a direct primary election to choose our candidates for the various positions in the next general elections”.
The letter added that all the aspirants had pledged their support for whoever emerges as the party’s candidate provided such is a product of primary elections which is the wishes of all members of the party.
While pledging their support for Governor Makinde, they urged him to invite all the affected people for an urgent meeting to resolve the issue.
“In as much as we are not against the consensus arrangement, we want to state that the governor should allow the wishes of the people to prevail because the governor himself is a product of democracy.
“The governor should however call a meeting of all the aspirants, party leaders and stakeholders of the party to resolve the issue”, they added.
