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Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has formally declared his intention to contest for a Senate seat in the National Assembly to represent Oyo South senatorial district election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in 2019.
Governor Ajimobi made the declaration on Friday at the Univeristy of Ibadan during the maiden General Abdulsalami Abubakar Foundation Peace Lecture.
Former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami delievered the lecture titled, “Collaborative peace building in Nigeria”.
Ajimobi said he had appeared before the APC screening committee in Abuja, having obtained the nomination and expression of interest forms, ahead of the October 3 party primary.
He expressed confidence in clinching the party’s ticket, saying that his impressive credentials also puts him in a good position to win the seat for the APC.
READ: 2019: Senator Akanbi to battle Ajimobi for Oyo South Senatorial seat from ADC
His words: “I was in Abuja yesterday (Thursday) for our party’s screening exercise for senatorial aspirants. I want to announce to you that I am contesting the Oyo South senatorial district ticket under our great party, APC.
“The screening was successful and I’m sure that it is a precursor to further victories ahead.”
In his lecture, Abubakar urged traditional and religious institutions to be in the vanguard of issues capable of advancing the course of inter-ethnic and religious harmony across the country.
Insisting that the country was stronger socially and economically as a united entity, he warned that nowhere across the African continent could accommodate the people in the event of a breakup.
As the countdown to the 2019 general elections continues, the former leader further urged citizens to be wary of incendiary statements and to promote things that unite the country rather than those things capable of dividing it.
In his speech, Ajimobi described Abubakar as an epitome of humility and successful leadership, which he said were the unique attributes that made it possible for the former leader to succeed in overseeing the transmission of power from the military to the political class in 1999.
Ajimobi said peace was paramount in the development of a society, stressing that the enthronement of peace when his administration came on board facilitated the socioeconomic development of the state.
The governor said, “I have not met anyone who epitomises humility and love for peace than General Abubakar. He is also the only one that has never made any attempt to come back to power through politics.
“He is so detribalized, humble and full of respect for all. We are here to honour a man of honour and the university, as well as the World Peace Day.
“We are proud to say Oyo is one of the most peaceful states in the country today. The peace we enjoy in our state has served as the German floor for the pillars of development like health, education, agriculture, commerce among others on which our development is hinged.”