The ambition of Oyo State All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship candidate Adebayo Adelabu, fondly called Penkelemesi, at the weekend received a boost from the leadership of Yoruba Patriotic Movement (YPM).
Its President Chief Oladosu Oladipo assured Adelabu of the group’s backing while welcoming him to his Bodija home, with over 3,000 members in attendance.
Oladipo said: “Politics in Yoruba land has gone beyond allowing mediocre to be in government. In Yoruba land, we have brilliant people, holders of doctorate degrees and professors virtually in every home. So, we have no choice than to support Chief Adelabu that has an intimidating profile.
“Chief Adelabu started his banking career as a manager in First Bank before he got an appointment as Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), where he resigned his job to contest for the office of Oyo State Governor.
“We have done our investigation among all the contestants for the seat of governor and Adelabu Penkelemesi is the best for this state in the current political dispensation.
“This is not our first time that YPM, a movement that has it members in rural areas across Yorubaland, is declaring our support for a candidate that is credible.
“As you can see, our members here present are over 3,000 and we have resolved to mobilise our people from the grassroots for your success.
“We cannot afford to be disconnected from the central government and we know that Adelabu can further the good work started by the incumbent.
“We agreed and work for the success of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo because of our faith in them and now we are transferring the same to Adelabu and we are sure he is the next Oyo State governor by God’s grace.”
The APC candidate thanked the YPM leadership and members for the belief and trust in his pedigree to move the state to its next level
He seized the opportunity of the meeting to enlist as a member of YPM to the admiration and applause of all.
He was later received and decorated with the emblem of the group.
The APC candidate promised to be its good ambassador and ensure that he uplifts the state in the areas of agriculture, education, economy and commerce to make the state the best in the Southwest and the country.
“I promise to be a good ambassador of this group worldwide. I will do all the necessary things for the group and make sure I did not disappoint you when I become the state’s governor with your support come Saturday’s election,” he said.
As part of plans to ensure victory for the APC governorship candidate, the candidate of the Zenith Labour Party for Ibadan North West/South West Federal Constituency in the just concluded National Assembly election, Dr. Rotimi Ajanaku, has made a return to the ruling party.
Ajanaku, accompanied by thousands of his supports at his Oke Ado base, noted that although he did not win the election, his absence and that of his supporters was felt in the APC camp.
He said his return to the APC was made possible by the “timely intervention of the Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi, who fast-tracked the whole process, through his assurances of immediate re-integration of my followers into the party hierarchy and other worthy considerations.”