Oyo Labour Party collapses Structure for Makinde

The Labour Party in Oyo State has thrown its weight behind the People’s Democratic Party candidate (PDP) and Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, ahead of the 2023 Gubernatorial Election.

Mr Tunji Sadiq, the party chairman addressing journalists at the party’s state office in Ibadan on Sunday, said the party had resolved to use its structure throughout the 33 local government areas of the state to support the re-election bid of Makinde.

Sadiq said the party decided to support the PDP candidate because his ideology aligned with LP’s in the aspects of security, infrastructural development, agriculture and industry, health, financial independence, and economic well-being of the people.

He added the party did a thorough assessment and evaluation of the various governorship candidates and discovered that Makinde stood out above others in terms of character, competence, capacity and compassion for the people.

Sadiq said, “On our thorough assessment of the various governorship candidates for the March 11, 2023 election in terms of character, competence, capacity, and compassion for people, His Excellency, Engineer Oluseyi Makinde excels above the others.

“Therefore, we, at the Labour Party Oyo State, have decided to use the entire structure of our party throughout the 33 local governments to support his re-election for another four years of giant development in Oyo state. And we call on all citizens of Oyo State to vote massively for him. He deserves it.

“He is a candidate that will serve the best interest of the masses the most. It is not that we are collapsing the party structure. The party structure remains and will use it for other activities. Our candidates for the House of Assembly remain and we will follow it through.”

Speaking on the gubernatorial candidate of the party, Tunji Sadiq opined that upon assessment of the candidate’s chances “there is no way he will win that election”.

“For us not to lose focus in the development of the party, it is in the best interest of the party, especially the citizens, to look for a candidate that represents our interest, that has our ideology and delivers for our people, that is what we see in Engineer Seyi Makinde. We did this without financial inducement. We are people-focused; people-friendly and we are for the masses,” he said.

Akinwale alleges sabotage says, he is still in the race

In response, Tawfiq Akinwale, the governorship candidate of the Labour Party, in a communique has dissociated himself with alleged plans to support the PDP candidate, Seyi Makinde, in Saturday’s election.

He said, “I am addressing you at this press time based on information made available to me that the Oyo State Labour Party Chairman, Sodiq Atayese will be leading some candidates of the party to declare support for the outgoing governor Seyi Makinde of the PDP ahead of the March 11, 2023 governorship election. It is with great shock that I received this information and I totally dissociate myself from and outrightly condemn such a callous move.

“I, Tawfiq Tayo Akinwale hereby declare and reemphasize that I did not and will not step down for any candidate or party be it outgoing Seyi Makinde or any other person. This is an assurance that I, Tawfiq Tayo Akinwale of the Labour Party will win the governorship election come March 11, 2023, by the grace of God and the support of all the good people of Oyo State.” He said.