As the polity in Ogun garner momentum against the year 2019 general elections, one of the governorship hopefuls, Architect Owodunni Opayemi has called on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to pave way for the best candidate to govern the state rather than championing the course for any zoning arrangement.
Opayemi made the call while speaking with journalists yesterday in his home town, Ikenne during the one-day Mid Term Assessment Tour of the State executive committee of the APC.
Speaking against the backdrop of the call for a governorship candidate from the Yewa-Awori bloc of Ogun West Senatorial district, Opayemi said it would amount to a disservice to the Gateway state should the leadership of the party allows sentiments of zoning to prevail in their choice of flag bearer for the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
Opayemi’s call was however, coming barely 24 hours after the former governor of the state and a national leader of the party, Aremo ‘Segun Osoba warned the leadership of APC in Ogun against imposition of candidates for any elective office in the coming general election.
Osoba had also hinted that the party should watch out for the Ijebus’ agenda in the coming general elections and that fielding a weak or unpopular candidate could give the rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the needed advantage to stage a comeback.
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Speaking with journalists however, Opayemi emphasised that the incumbent governor, Ibikunle Amosun has not placed an embargo on the candidature of any aspirants from Ogun East Senatorial district but rather declared his intention to support them.
“Amosun has not said that governorship aspirants must not come from Ogun East Senatorial districts. He said he would not work against them and that they are free to run”.
“What I’m after is for the best candidate to govern the state. That is my aim and wish for Ogun state. It is not about zoning, but about who can deliver Ogun state; who can run Ogun state very well. That is what we should be looking for now. We should worry less about zoning; whether it’s Yewa-Awori, Ogun East or West”.
Opayemi however, assured that the state would fare well under him if given the opportunity to administer the affairs of the state.
“I have fared well in business and presently, I manage a group of companies. So, Ogun state shouldn’t be difficult for me to manage”.
Commenting on the recent protest by a group of people who called for the resignation of President Mohammed Buhari over his ill health, Opayemi wondered why people should make such request when all humans are bound to fall sick.
” We are not God and should stop playing God. Anybody can get sick at any time. Resignation shouldn’t come at all. I am against such a protest since the leadership of the party is doing well in governance”.
“We have a capable Vice President who is doing a good job. So, why should we blame the government of the day because the president is sick? I am against that”.
