Adekunle Akinlade, a foremost governorship aspirant on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC has formally declared his ambition to contest the seat of the first citizen of Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria.
Gatekeepers News reports that in attendance at the official declaration ceremony held in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Tuesday, were his wife – Adesewa, other governorship aspirants within the APC, dignitaries, party loyalists, and a mammoth of supporters.
The two governorship aspirants, who had come to drum support for Akinlade were Modele Sarafa-Yusus and Biyi Otegbeye, who had earlier made a formal declaration to contest in the 2023 Ogun governorship race.
The Chairman of the APC, Ogun chapter, Derin Adebiyi, while addressing the congregation said it was vital for the party to present a strong and committed frontal governorship candidate ahead of the 2023 election.
Adebiyi restated that Akinlade embodies uncommon loyalty and commitment while urging the APC faithful to give him unalloyed support.
On his part, Otegbeye described the governorship declaration event as a genuine show of sportsmanship, noting that he is reciprocating the respect that was extended to him by Akinlade.
He stressed that he was ready to work fully with Akinlade, should he win the governorship primaries, adding that he was convinced it would be a victory dance for their political family come May 29.
Another Ogun governorship aspirant present on the occasion, Modele Sarafa-Yusus, who stated that there’s a need for APC to present a common front during 2023 elections in Ogun state, noted that, “APC is one and so it should be.”
Sarafa-Yusus prayed that the best of aspirants will become the governor of Ogun state in the next dispensation.
The man of the ocassion, Akinlade, while dellivering his speech appreciated everyone present “for believing in the vision that Ogun State needs a new Sheriff to steer its affairs and destiny now.
“As we prepare to elect the next flag bearer of our party on Thursday the 26th of May 2022, I call on all delegates and party faithful regardless of the faction you belong to, to be mindful of who you cast your vote for, because this singular process, will determine who leads and governs our dear State for the next four years.”
“No matter what form or mode of primary the party adopts, the power to DECIDE resides entirely in your hands as well as the destiny of millions of our people. It is to this end that I most humbly plead with everyone here present to go back home and call upon our people to come out and vote for me. May I at this junction state that as a people, all we need is the WILL to strive for success, the COURAGE to remain on course, and TENACITY to take our State back, which I am confident we shall by God’s grace on Thursday 26th of May 2022 by electing me, Adekunle Abdulkabir Akinlade as the gubernatorial flag bearer of our great party for the 2023 general election,” he added.
Akinlade, popularly known as Triple A is a former lawmaker, who represented Egbado South/Ipokia Federal Constituency at the eighth assembly and was a governorship candidate in the 2019 general elections.
