Leaders of the Labour Party in Oyo State have adopted the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Governor ‘Seyi Makinde ahead of the March 11 gubernatorial election.
The party made this declaration at a Press Conference held on Sunday at the party’s secretariat, Molete, Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, adding that Makinde is worth the votes of their supporters in the state.
The press conference was attended by all the State Working Committee of the party, National Assembly and State Assembly candidates and members of the party.
The State Party Chairman, Hon Sodiq Atayese said the party arrived at the decision owing to the fact that the ideology of the PDP–led administration in the state, resonates with that of Labour Party, hence, the need to support his re-election ahead of Taofiq Akinwale, who is the gubernatorial candidate of Labour Party.
Atayese noted that the decision was made following extensive consultation with members of the party across the state’s 33 local government areas.
In his words: “The last presidential election was keenly contested by the three major parties in the country and the result of the election as announced by INEC shows that the Labour Party is a force to reckon with.
“The result of the presidential election in Oyo State is similar to that. While the result of the election in its entirety is still a subject of contention, the takehome of the election is that a third force party that emerged barely a year ago has grown to become a strong force because of the quality of its candidate.
“Having considered this, in the upcoming election in our dear state, we have decided to support a candidate with the character, competence and capacity to lead and who is also concerned about the wellbeing of the citizens as it is obvious that no party can win the gubernatorial election alone.
“However, the main priority should be that the citizens win through the emergence of a candidate that best serves their interest.
“Based on this, we have decided to work with the party whose candidate aligns with ours in terms of security, agricultural development and financial well-being and it is obvious that the current administration of ‘Seyi Makinde has done this.
“We hereby call on all citizens of Oyo State to vote for him. This decision was taken with serious consideration for the party’s future in the state,” he explained.
In the meantime, Atayese had added that the party structure in the state remains intact as its House of Assembly candidates across the state are still in the race.
