The Chairman, Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, Olayide Abas has assured aspirants vying for the Ibadan North Federal Constituency vacant seat in the House of Representatives of fairness. Punch reports.
Abas said that constitutional and democratic options would be used in the by-election to pick the party’s candidate for the vacant seat.
Abas disclosed this at a stakeholders’ meeting held on Thursday at the Oke-Ado Secretariat of the state APC chapter.
The meeting, according to the party chairman, was organised to start the process of reclaiming the seat which became vacant following the passing of Olaide Akinremi during his second term in office under the party’s platform in July 2024.
“It took us several weeks to come to terms with the reality of the demise of our man, Prince Akinremi, who was one of the best performing federal lawmakers in the country, and because nature abhors a vacuum, it is imperative we find a replacement in as much as it is a fact that only the APC can present the likes of the deceased occupant of the seat.
“We are aware of the fact about 20 members of the APC in Ibadan North Federal Constituency have indicated their interest to emerge as the candidate of our party in the anticipated by-election. And I’m particularly delighted that each of the interested aspirants is more qualified to represent the all-important constituency in the Green Chamber.
“However, the high number of aspirants is raising some dust but I can assure you that we will be fair to all concerned. The Ibadan North Federal Constituency cannot afford to have a representative whose voice would not be heard on account of party inferiority and this is another justification for a candidate of the APC to return to that seat.
“All hands are already on deck as stakeholders from within and outside the state have indicated their readiness to rally around the candidate of our party. We can only appeal to party leaders, aspirants and other concerned individuals and groups in the federal constituency to cooperate with us as we are poised to midwife a free and fair process in picking the party’s candidate very soon,” Abas said.
Speaking on behalf of the party’s aspirants who attended the meeting, Musibau Ayinla lauded the leadership of the Oyo APC for their show of pragmatism and assurance of fairness to the aspirants.
Other aspirants in attendance at the meeting were Olusegun Olaleye (Radical Brother), Wale Olatunji (Murphy), Adekunle Oladeji, Umar Arisekola-Alao, among other aspirants.
Also, some state party leaders present at the meeting include Tajudeen Olanite, Mojeed Olaoya, Kehinde Subair, among other party leaders.
