Politics in Oyo State for the forthcoming 2023 governorship election is getting interesting. The major contenders for the position are, the incumbent governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde of People's Democratic Party (PDP); Senator Teslim Folarin of All Progressive Congress (APC) and Oloye Adebayo Adelabu of Accord Party.
In the course of jostling for the position of governor in the state, the party candidates are presently going to political stakeholders in the state to seek for their supports. On Wednesday, a group called PDP Vanguard said in a press statement that their members numbering 19000 are supporting Folarin's candidacy. But quipped by this statement, Gbolarumi group dissociates self from the statement saying they are yet to support any candidate in the state.
A day after Gbolarumi group issued the statement, Folarin visited the house of former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barr. Hazeem Gbolarumi to formerly seek his support.
While speaking at Gbolarumi's residence, Folarin noted that he is from same source with Gbolarumi while he assured that he would not disappoint the people just like Makinde who promised people that supported him to win 2019 governorship election but fail to fulfill any of the promises.
Folarin added that he's a politician who identify and reward everyone for their effort in politics. But, replying him, Gbolarumi said he can't singlehandedly approve him that he would meet his coordinators across the state to unanimously support him. He said he'll agree with what they will say. Gbolarumi said Makinde betrayed his love for him and his only vote can't make him a governor, a reason he will assent to what his people said.
On Saturday March 4, 2023, the there was mammoth crowd at the residence of Barr. Hazeem Gbolarumi to welcome Senator Folarin. Speaking with the people, Folarin noted that his visit to opposition party members necessitated what Makinde said on Splash FM that there's nothing wrong with work with opposition party saying he is acting on the precedent set by him.
After speaking with the PDP members in the state, Gbolarumi asked if they had agreed to work with Folarin and they all responded they are ready and willing to work with him.
Minutes after Folarin and his entourage departure, PDP South West secretary, Alhaji Abdulramon Owoniran also met with the factional PDP members. After explaining why they should reconsider Makinde, the PDP members out of annoyance disagreed to support the governor. They described the governor as a deceitful personified who liked to use and dump people.
The Accord Party candidate, Adelabu an hour after also visited Gbolarumi residence where he talked to people he met on ground why he will do better than his co-contenders.
He said the people should consider his antecedent as grandson of Adegoke Adelabu, the real Penkelemesi and his immense contribution to Ibadan and Oyo State. He added how himself have contributed well to the development of the state adding that he has all his companies in Oyo State and has helped many citizens in the state. He said all these stand him to be better than his co-contenders.
Reacting, Barr. Gbolarumi asked him to come back to meet coordinators in the state on Monday just like Senator Folarin did.