I am fully with Makinde, Ibadan North-East lawmaker denies backing Folarin

The lawmaker representing Ibadan North-East Constituency I and Mogaji of Akinajo Family, Hon. Olagoke Olamide Akinajo, has declared that he is solidly behind the re-election bid of the Oyo State Governor, Engr. ‘Seyi Makinde and has been working tirelessly towards the same cause as the DG of the Governor’s Campaign in Ibadan North-East Local Government.

The lawmaker, who urged members of the public to disregard a recent photograph of him and the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Teslim Folarin, as a piece of mischief deliberately spread to soil his image, said he “cannot abandon Omituntun 2.0 for the APC ship heading for stormy waters.”

According to Mogaji Akinajo, the photograph in circulation was taken at Ilaji Hotels and Resorts, where Folarin and his people had gone to beg the Ilaji Resort owner, Engr. Dotun Sanusi, for support and he (Akinajo) had equally accompanied a top shot in the Governor Makinde’s administration to convince Sanusi not to work against the governor.

He maintained that Saturday’s visit of Governor Makinde to Ilaji and the declaration of support by the Ilaji owner and various groups meant that the side he (Akinajo) belonged earned the victory.

Akinajo added that the declaration of support for the Governor by Engr. Sanusi is a blow to Folarin’s camp and that it was out of desperation that they are trying to attract undue endorsements, even from opposition party members.

He said: “For the avoidance of doubt, I, Mogaji Olagoke Olamide Akinajo, have nothing to do with Senator Folarin and the APC governorship campaign."

“I am solidly with Governor Makinde and I have been doing my best to deliver the victory to our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ibadan North-East Local Government as the Coordinator of the Governor’s Campaign in the Council."

“I urge members of the public to disregard the mischief being spread by some elements in the APC, who are trying to spin falsehood with the use of an innocuous photograph taken with their governorship candidate after a chance meeting at Ilaji Resort."

“For the records, I had accompanied a top shot in the Governor Makinde administration to Ilaji on that fateful day, to convince Engr. Sanusi not to listen to the overtures of the Folarin camp, while the APC contingent had also come to Ilaji to try to persuade Engr. Sanusi to work for their party as he did during the presidential election."

“As an Omoluabi and a Mogaji in Ibadanland, it was not out of place to greet my elders and ranking Chiefs such as Senator Folarin and Senator-elect Sharafadeen Alli, despite our political differences. And when one of them decided to take photographs, I didn’t need to rebuff them, since I was convinced they were on the losing side, while our Party would coast to victory."

“I never expected anyone to make mischief out of a photograph of an Ibadan man with others; not everything should be politicised. But, in retrospect, I sympathise with the APC camp over its desperation as evidenced in the series of falsehood it has been spinning in the last few days."

“I am saying in clear terms that I have not and do not intend to join the APC or have anything to do with the aspiration of Senator Folarin. I am on the winning team with Governor Makinde and there’s no plan to change sides."

“I equally urge all residents of Ibadan North-East Local Government and Oyo State in general to come out of enmasse and re-elect Governor Makinde, who has proved in the last three years and nine months that he has the interest of the people of the state at heart. Don’t fall for lies; Seyi Leekansi is the goal!”

Signed

Mogaji (Hon.) Olamide Olagoke

March 12, 2023