A prominent political leader in Ibarapa and Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Cooperatives in Oyo state, Honorable Ademola Ojo popularly called ‘Ijaya’ and other leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Ibarapa zone have issued a stern warning against anti-party activities ahead of the forthcoming Local Government Polls in the state.
The party leaders gave the warning at the official party flag presentation to chairmanship and vice chairmanship candidates on the platform of PDP on Monday, April 22 at the event which took place at the Eruwa Townhall, Eruwa, Ibarapa East Local Government.
Obalowo Olugbenga (PDP Chairmanship candidate in Ibarapa East), Olubola Adeleke (PDP Chairmanship candidate of Ibarapa Central) and other chairmanship and vice chairmanship candidates in Ibarapa ahead of the coming Saturday’s local government election officially received their flags from the party as standard bearers.
The event which witnessed a massive turn out of party faithful, supporters, and stakeholders across Ibarapa zone, eager to witness the official presentation of flags to the candidates vying for various local government chairmanship positions also had in attendance, past and present as well as top government functionaries.
Speaking at the event, Ademola ‘Ijaya’ emphasized the importance of unity within the party ranks, urging party members to rally behind the chosen candidates to ensure resounding victory at the coming April 27 Council polls.
“We must remain united as a party if we are to achieve success in the upcoming local government elections. Any form of anti-party behavior will not be tolerated and any party member seen or reported to engage in any anti party activities has clearly presented him or herself as enemy of Seyi Makinde and the PDP, and such person will be treated as such.
“There’s no room for any anti party activities as far as PDP is concerned in Ibarapa zone, you’re either for us or you’re against us, there’s no sitting on the fence. You must all mobilize aggressively ahead of next Saturday’s local government election because we can not leave any stone unturned.
“Governor Seyi Makinde has made it abundantly clear that this is PDP’s time to entrench good governance deeply at the grassroots for the ongoing economic and infrastructural transformation across all the geopolitical zones in the state to reach all corners of the 33 Council areas, and I want to repeat this for the sake of emphasis that no anti party behavior capable of jeopardizing the chances of our candidates would be tolerated.” Ademola Ojo stated.
In his brief remarks shortly before presenting the PDP flag to the chairmanship and vice chairmanship candidates, Secretary of the party in Oyo state, Alhaji Wasiu Adeleke called on party faithful and supporters to go out on election day and conduct themselves peacefully and orderly to avoid any act capable of disrupting the election.
Alhaji Adeleke reiterated the party’s commitment to conducting free, fair, and transparent primaries, urging all the candidates to abide by the party’s guidelines and electoral rules.
“We are a democratic party, and we believe in the supremacy of the will of the people. Let us conduct ourselves peacefully and orderly on election day and ensure we vote properly. We must shun all forms of violence to ensure peaceful conduct of the exercise.” Alhaji Adeleke said.
The flag presentation ceremony symbolized the official endorsement of the PDP’s candidates for the chairmanship positions in all the local government areas in Ibarapa zone, setting the stage for intense political campaigns ahead of the polls.
Some of the notable party leaders present at the well attended event include former Commissioners in the state; Hon. Adewuyi Ojoawo, Dr Aborode Mukahil, Seun Fakorede, Funmilayo Orisadeyi, and a serving Commissioner; Wasilat Adegoke.
Traditional rulers including Olu of Igboora, Asigangan of Igangan, Eleipe of Tapa, religious leaders from both the Muslim and Christian faiths also graced the event.
Hon. James Olukunle, the state vice chairman of the party who represented the state chairman, Hon. Dayo Ogungbero commended Governor Seyi Makinde for making PDP the bride of electorates in Oyo state with his humane and transformational policies and programs that cut across all sectors.
He equally commemded the Speaker of Oyo state House of Assembly, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin for being a proud ambassador of PDP from the zone at both state and national level while assuring that the party will continue to place the people at the center of every policies and programs under it’s government at both state and local levels.
Other notable PDP leaders in the zone including Chief Adewale Atanda, who spoke at the event assured that PDP would repeat the 2023 general election energy to record landslide victory while charging party members and supporters to remain resolute in their commitment to the party ahead of Saturday of Saturday Council poll.
Second term lawmaker representing Ibarapa Central at the state House of assembly, Hon. Peter Ojedokun, Hon. Olayemi Taiwo, Mr Akano (Liaison Officer, Ido/Ibarapa federal constituency) and other prominent PDP leaders in Ido and Ibarapa graced the event.
