One of the leading governorship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has said eight governorship aspirants of the party have stepped down for him ahead of the party’s primary election.
The aspirant, who spoke through the Director of Media and Strategy of his campaign organisation Mr. Diran Odeyemi, in an interview with our correspondent in Osogbo on Wednesday, stated that the aspirants hinged their decision on the popularity of the former senator, adding that he would defeat Governor Rauf Aregbesola in the 2014 governorship poll.
Omisore explained that the aspirants admitted that he was the only aspirant out of those jostling for the party’s ticket who had the acceptability and the capability to defeat Aregebsola.
He stated that as a former deputy governor, he had the experience and acceptability to defeat the incumbent governor.
Omisore said the gale of defection hitting the PDP was nothing to worry about, saying the PDP still stood a very good chance to win the 2014 governorship election in Osun State and in the entire country.
He declined to give the name of the aspirants who had dropped their ambition for his principal, but added that it would be made known later.
He said the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo had predicted that there would be coming together of political parties, saying while some were leaving the PDP many were joining the party.
He said, “Eight governorship aspirants have agreed to drop their governorship ambitions for Senator Iyiola Omisore. All former aspirants who have teamed up with me are prepared to give me ideas from their previous experiences.
“There is no doubt about the acceptability and capability of Senator Omisore. I have the experience and the wherewithal to contest and defeat the incumbent governor.
“Governor Aregbesola has stepped on toes of many people in the state. The people are yearning for a change and I am the one who can defeat him and bring real development to the people of the state.
“The synergy is good for our democracy. If it is going to bring good governance, God will allow it. Chief Obafemi Awolowo predicted this a long time ago. He said that there would be a coming together of political parties.
“Where is ideology in the political parties now? The APC is wooing Obasanjo; but does that make Obasanjo a progressive?
“As there are movements to APC, there are also movements to PDP too. It is not only achievements that win elections, there are extraneous factors like being an indigene, favouritism, blackmails by politicians that come during campaign. But I am sure that Omisore will win the 2014 governorship election in the state.”
Source: Punch
