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Abdulqudus Ogundapo
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Ogun State, Abdulkabir Akinlade has promised that he would not disappoint the party and his loyalists ahead of the 2023 election.
Akinlade hinted that his decision to join the gubernatorial race would be determined by the resolution of the National Working Committee of the APC.
It had earlier been reported that one of the leaders of the party in the state submitted a petition before the APC National Working Committee, urging the committee to stop Governor Dapo Abiodun from re-contesting the 2023 gubernatorial election.
But, Akinlade on Tuesday while addressing newsmen after a meeting in Ilaro with leaders of APC in Ogun West canvased unity, stressing that he would contest for the governorship seat in 2023 if the NWC decision favours him.
The APC Chieftain affirmed that if the NWC ruled against him, he and his loyalists would still stand firm with the party.
“It is very clear that a sitting governor in any party has the right of first refusal, and His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun has that right in 2023. But there are salient issues being resolved presently in the party. If those issues are resolved favourably and there is opportunity for someone from Ogun West, I will contest.
“But if the party chooses to return the governor regardless, there’s nothing we can do. We have to stand with the party and that is what I came to tell our leaders that Ogun West must be united, do needful and pray the party considers the merit of a petition before it.
“Politics is not one that you need to deceive people. I need to let my people know the truth. If people had worked with me, people died supporting me in 2019, I owe them that much to be truthful to them. Though it’s a difficult word, but one I needed to tell them myself; not that somebody has to speculate. I need to come and tell my people that if what we are looking at goes through and there is opportunity, I will come out to mobilise my people and I will run. But if the petition is jettisoned by the party and the party decides otherwise, we will stand with the party. That is the directive of our leader, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.”
