Former Osun Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and other chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state have endorsed the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Oyinlola made the declaration on Sunday in Osogbo while addressing journalists alongside former Secretary to the State Government, Fatai Akinbade, former South-West PDP Vice Chairman, Taju Oladipo, and Kazeem Adio.
He said the decision to support Oyebamiji was based on what he described as the need for inclusive leadership and the overall interest of Osun.
ALSO READ: Oyo guber: How I supported Makinde’s governorship ambition — Oriyomi Hamzat
The former governor, however, clarified that he and the other PDP chieftains remained members of the party, stressing that their decision to support the APC candidate was an electoral choice rather than a formal defection.
“Let me start by saying we are not leaving the Peoples Democratic Party. Party loyalty is important, but the interest of Osun State must always come first.
“Our political identity remains with the PDP, but our electoral decision at this moment is to support a candidate who we believe can provide the kind of inclusive leadership that Osun State deserves,” Oyinlola said.
He added that the decision was aimed at placing the development of the state above partisan considerations.
“We are putting the interest of Osun above partisan considerations. We are putting the future of our children above political sentiments. And we are putting the development of Osun State above every other consideration,” he said.
Oyinlola said he and other PDP stakeholders had worked for the emergence of the current administration under Governor Ademola Adeleke but expressed disappointment over what he described as a lack of inclusiveness in the administration.
“We were among the major stakeholders who worked tirelessly towards the emergence of the present administration under the platform of the PDP. We believed in that project. Unfortunately, along the line, things began to fall apart. One of the major issues is the lack of inclusiveness in the governance of our state,” he said.
He urged Oyebamiji, if elected, to run an inclusive administration that would give every part of the state a sense of belonging.
“You must listen to the people. You must ensure that every part of Osun feels represented in your government,” Oyinlola said.
He identified good governance, economic development, infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, youth empowerment and job creation as key areas that should receive attention from the next administration.
“We do not want a government of exclusion. We want a government where every Osun indigene can say, ‘This government belongs to me,’” he added.
Oyinlola also urged PDP members and supporters to understand the basis of their decision, maintaining that the endorsement did not amount to abandoning the party.
“Again, our support for AMBO does not erase our history with the PDP. It does not diminish our respect for the party. It does not mean that we have abandoned the PDP. Politics is temporary, but Osun State is permanent,” he said.
The event was attended by APC leaders, including Oyebamiji and his wife; former Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola and his wife; former Deputy Governor Titi Laoye-Ponle; former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adejare Bello; Wole Oke; and other APC chieftains.