Kinsmen of late former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Owo and Ose Local Government Areas have denied endorsing Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the party’s governorship candidate ahead of the forthcoming primary election.
They said the report claiming APC leaders in Owo and Ose have endorsed Aiyedatiwa was egregiously fallacious, patently deceptive and misleading.
The Owo/Ose APC leaders said the event that transpired in Owo was a gathering of Aiyedatiwa’s loyalists for a political meeting, as evidenced by those present at the event.
A statement by Fatai Olushina and Elefola Solomon said those at the gathering that endorsed Aiyedatiwa previously opposed Akeredolu’s interest in the state.
The statement said a genuine consensus to endorse a candidate within the Owo and Ose APC chapters would be championed by renowned and steadfast leaders, whose political acumen were well recognised.
“Footage retrieved from the event highlights the local government party chairman’s refusal to publicly endorse Aiyedatiwa, which led to an obvious awkward situation. This unfolding spectacle is as amusing as it is troubling. We remain vigilant of Aiyedatiwa’s escalating desperation and his campaign’s attempts to manufacture endorsements across the state
“Our resolve is firm in Owo and Ose, and within the broader APC family, to not let misrepresentations prevail. The loyalists of the late Governor Akeredolu’s leadership in Owo and across the state stand united in their rejection of Aiyedatiwa’s tactics to secure the party’s nomination. It is well documented that Aiyedatiwa’s treatment of the late Governor was profoundly inhumane and deeply callous.
“We refuse to honour such betrayal and cruelty with our party’s endorsement. As we await guidance from our revered leader and father, President Bola Tinubu, we are committed to exposing the deceit and mendacity of Aiyedatiwa and his cohort of betrayers.”
