Addressing newsmen after submitting his expression of interest and nomination forms at the national secretariat of the APC in Abuja, Oyedele boasted that the time has come for him to take over the leadership of the state.
He said having stepped down for late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to please the ruling party among other personal sacrifices since 2020, he is the most experienced and competent of all the 16 candidates battling for the APC ticket.
He said, “I’m not new to this process. You will recall that in 2020, I was the frontline challenger against Late Rotimi Akeredolu.
“Following persuasion from party leaders, I willingly and unconditionally stepped down for the then-governor to ensure that the party was not disunited. For the first time in the history of party politics, all the aspirants rallied behind Akeredolu in the elections and APC won.
“In 2022, I was in Costa Rica when party leaders called me to return home immediately to contest for the office of the National Secretary of the party. Again, following the intervention of party leaders, I was persuaded to step down unconstitutionally to ensure party hegemony is retained.
” I have made these sacrifices because I can say, with all due respect and humility, that I am one of the founding fathers, having participated actively in the APC merger committee. I was also fortunate to be the one who designed the logo of the APC, which is today the identity of Africa’s largest political party.
“There is no doubt and I said this with all sense of responsibility and respect that of all the aspirants that have so far signified their intentions, I am the most competent and experienced. Therefore, using the foremost words of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I can say in Ondo state ‘Emilokan.’ I think it is my turn.”
Other aspirants in the race are incumbent governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the senator representing Ondo South district, Jimoh Ibrahim; APC chieftain, Olusola Oke; former President of Nigerian Medical Association, Prof. Francis Faduyile; Dr Funmi Waheed-Adekojo and APC National Vice Chairman (South West), Isaac Kekemeke.
Others are Akinfolarin Samuel, Olusoji Ehinlanwo, Okunjimi Odimayo, Adewale Akinterinwa, Olugbenga Edema and Gen. Ohunyeye Olamide, Morayo Lebi, and Garvey Iyanjan.
