A governorship aspirant in the Ondo All Progressives Congress (APC) April 20 primary election, Engr. Ifeoluwa Oyedele has expressed confidence in winning the ticket to fly the party’s flag in the November Governorship Election.

Addressing newsmen after submitting his expression of interest and nomination forms at the APC headquarters in Abuja, the designer of the APC logo boasted that the time has come for him to take over the leadership of Ondo State.

Repeating the historic Abeokuta declaration, Oyedele who is the President of the University of Lagos Alumni Association (Worldwide) told newsmen that “it is his turn to govern the Sun Shine State”

Oyedele, who is also the president of University of Lagos alumni (worldwide), boasted that the time has come for him to take over the leadership of Ondo State.

The governorship hopeful who recalled his sacrifices to the party since its inception, reminded party members and the people in the state of how he stepped down for Late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu in compliance with the party directive, insisting he is the most experienced and competent of all the 16 aspirants.

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 ‘Emi lokan.’ I think it is my turn.”

While submitting his nomination forms, APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, acknowledged the sacrifices of the Executive Director of Niger Delta Power Holding Company to the growth of the party.

Ganduje, who spoke through the party’s Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru said: “We know before now of your contribution to the party, if I remember correctly not too sure, there was an indication of your name gunning across the board for APC National Secretary of, which you then step down and let go for peace.

“You have shown your support and sportsmanship, more importantly, you have shown that you’re a unique party man, in 2020, in the general interest of the party you forgo the interest, and aspirations to be the governor to the greater interest of the party, I hope this is the time for the party to do this in your favour.” (The Nation)

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