Thousands of All Progressive Congress (APC) stormed the Oke-Ado, Ibadan secretariat of the party, where Senator representing Oyo Central senatorial district, Senator Teslim Folarin, formally declared his intention to contest for the governorship position of the pacesetter state.
As early as eight o’clock in the morning, supporters of Senator Folarin took to the streets in preparation for the official declaration of the distinguished senator.
Senator Teslim Folarin, while speaking at the event, urged members of the APC to ensure they obtained their voters’ cards to be able to take over the government from the incumbent Seyi Makinde come 2023.
The former Senate leader, who said he was determined to rescue Oyo State and its hapless people, also donated a bus and N5 million to the state chapter of the party.
His words: “I am determined to rescue Oyo State and her hapless people. I promise to remain accessible and in constant conversation with the people of Oyo state. I strongly believe that it is only through discussions and dialogue with the people that a sense of unity of purpose of a people can spring from, and dreams of development can transform into reality.
“My aim is to form a pact with the good people of Oyo State, brokered by an invaluable blueprint that is anchored on a rescue mission. Our government shall be founded on a mission that will prioritize productive agricultural reform, affordable and qualitative education for all school-age children in Oyo State; efficient healthcare delivery for all irrespective of age, gender and status; massive leaning on industrialisation that is strongly supported by a sprawling agricultural value chain; urban renewal and rural infrastructural development; secured Oyo State where every lawful citizen shall have no reason to fret; and stimulating the local economy through employment generation that is anchored on entrepreneurship and innovation.”
While giving updates on some of the things he has done as a senator, the gubernatorial aspirant outlined some of his plans for the people of Oyo State.
His words: “With my robust administrative experience, unimpeded courage and strength of conviction, I am poised to invest in policies that will drive economic development; provide a sea of opportunities for the teeming populace; improve healthcare, agriculture, education and infrastructure so that our state can be an investment hub and preferred destination in Nigeria. All these will be clothed in the human face by an administration that is people-driven.
“Aside from the discharge of my core legislative duties as a lawmaker, I have succeeded in facilitating numerous training, empowerment programmes, community development initiatives and midwife establishments of various ICT centres and secondary health institutions for the good people of our state. This penetrates divides, religions and persuasions.
“Yet, at every turn, I still see an overwhelming number of people living below their abilities and who need to be helped to live a good life. What is more fundamental is that our people beckon on me and I listen.”
While speaking at the event, the APC chairman in Oyo State, Hon. Isaac Ajiboye Omodewu, commended members of the party for their loyalty in the last three years that the party has been out of office and urged them to work hard to ensure victory for the party in the next general elections.
At the event, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) also lost one of its serving senators, Senator Kola Balogun, to the APC, which resulted in the PDP not having any representation in the upper chamber of the National Assembly.
“Balogun, a first-time senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, took his exit from the ruling party at an event held at the state APC Secretariat, Oke-Ado, Ibadan, today.”
A governorship aspirant on the platform of the party, Senator Teslim Folarin, also declared his governorship ambition at the colourful event.
Senator Balogun had, consequently, in a letter addressed to the PDP chairman in Ward 12, Ibadan North-East Local Government Area, resigned his membership of the party.
The senator was received at the APC secretariat by the party chairman, Hon Isaac Omodewu, the entire State Working Committee and some notable leaders of the party.
Present at the event are Senator Abdul-Fatai Buhari, Honourable Segun Odebunmi, Hon Mojeed Olaoya, Hon Asimiyu Alarape, and Hon Yemi Aderibigbe, a former Minister of Communications, Alhaji Bayo Shittu, Senator Brimo Yusuff and Hons Demola Omotoso and Lamiju Alao-Akala.
