From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
Ahead of the governorship and House of Assembly elections rescheduled for Saturday, the Accord Party (AP) in Ogun State, has adopted and endorsed the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oladipupo Adebutu.
The state party chairman of the AP in Ogun, Tajudeen Olayokun, who made the position of the party known at a press conference held at the party’s secretariat, Abiola Way in Abeokuta, the state capital, yesterday, described the decision of the party on Adebutu as final, adding that Accord Party was ready to mobilize its members across the state to vote for the PDP candidate.
Olayokun noted that the decision to support the PDP governorship candidate was because his ideology tallied with that of AP in terms of capacity building, rural and infrastructural development, agriculture and security.
He, however, urged chieftains and members of the party to disregard rumours making the rounds that the party was ready to join forces with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state ahead of the governorship election, insisting that only Adebutu has what it takes to move Ogun to another level.
“I am here this morning to address the issue of some miscreants and misguided elements flying news of calumny about our party in Ogun State towards supporting a political party and others.
“I will like to bring it to the notice of the good people of Ogun State, that Ogun State Accord Party remains cordial with Ladi Adebutu of PDP on his candidacy come March 18 as our governorship candidate.
“The news of the Accord Party in the state pitching tent with the APC should be thrashed and we hereby distance ourselves from such lies.
“The party decided to throw its weight behind a reliable candidate with competence, character and goodwill in the interest of the people of the state.
“Our members should disregard anything contrary. We don’t have anything to do with APC. We are happy that Adebutu, the governorship candidate of the PDP is trusted and shares the same ideology with us,’’ Olayokun said.