softly in the handling of the volatile political circumstances of Oyo
State in order not to jeopardize the bright prospects of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
Senator David Mark was particularly advised to steer clear of the
gubernatorial race in the state and allow the leaders of the party in the
political capital of the West to choose for themselves the candidate of
their choice for the governorship and other elective positions.
In the South West today, Oyo State is generally believed to be surest bet
for the Peoples Democratic Party to win in the 2015 general elections.
According to a statement issued in Ibadan today by the Rescue Team 2015,
the group that has remained in the frontline for the reclamation of Oyo
State by the PDP said that the caution became imperative because of the
various secret and open moves of the Senate President to impose his former
colleague, Senator Teslim Folarin on the party.
The statement added that the meeting of Oyo State Gubernatorial aspirants
called by the Senate President for his residence tomorrow Tuesday was to
rail road a select aspirants to sign undertaking in support of the
candidature of Folarin.
In the statement signed by the Coordinator of the Team, Mr. Babalola
Afobaje, the group argued that what was the concern of Senate President
calling on the Oyo governorship aspirants when the state leadership of the
party had not done so. They equally queried the invitation of just a few
of the aspirants as against a wholesale invitation of all the aspirants.
“It is not just today, Senator Teslim Folarin has always mentioned the
names of the Senate President, Senator David Mark and National Deputy
Chairman of the party, Chief Uche Secndus as those that would ensure that
no other candidate emerges in Oyo Expect him. We equally know the level of
pressure and intimidation that our leaders in Oyo State have been
subjected to on the planned imposition of Senator Folarin who destroyed
our party, the fortunes and future of several party members with his
callous grave anti party activities in 2011.”
“ Whether he did not know that he would still need the members of the
Peoples Democratic Party again in his life, Senator Folarin flagrantly
used the power and mandate our party, PDP gave him as our Senator and
Senate Leader maximally with soldiers, police and dreadful members of the
NURTW to destroy our chances of winning all elections, particularly in
Ibadan land in 2011.”
“ To now hear that it is the same person that has created so many problems
and enemies for the party whose name nobody including members of APC that
he helped to defeat our party wants to hear , is being propelled by the
highly respected Senate President is shocking.
” If Senator David could be aspiring for a fifth time in the Senate
because of his own outstanding performance and quality contributions to
his home state, Senator Folarin cannot point to any tangible development
he brought to his local government Ona Ara not to talk of Oyo State as a
whole.
The Rescue Team therefore urged the Senate President to discard forthwith
the idea of calling a meeting of select group of aspirants stressing that
if found necessary at all he must invite all aspirants in the interest of
fairness and growth of the party.
“ We are of the position that the leadership of the party in the state is
better left alone in designing the formula for choosing the gubernatorial
candidate. They are the most concerned. They know all the aspirants, their
political and electoral worth. If Senator Mark has any idea, suggestion or
any other things for Oyo State PDP , he should pass such through the party
hierarchy.
Senator David Mark is a statesman and highly respected Nigerian whose
position has placed him far beyond any primordial or sentimental
consideration
At least four of the leading contenders including Alhaji Kehinde
Olaosebikan, Engr Femi Babalola, Dr. Gbola Adetunii, Dr. Adeduntan
confirmed that they were not invited to the meeting.