PDP: Mark Denies Planned Imposition Of Governorship Candidate In Oyo

Senate President David Mark has told the Oyo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that it reserves every right to choose its own flag bearer for the coming governorship election.

Mark said this while dismissing insinuations that PDP Integration Committee for the South West was plotting to impose a gubernatorial candidate on the party in the state.

“You are to choose your flagbearer and ensure that PDP wins elections in Oyo State. That is the agenda handed over to us,” said Mark, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publications, Kola Ologbondiyan.

“The committee did not select gubernatorial aspirants that were invited for the meeting, rather, every stakeholder was invited.

“I didn’t call gubernatorial candidates to my house. The meeting here (Banquet Hall) was open and all inclusive,” the senate president said in the statement.

He however urged stakeholders in the state to work together to return the party to power in the next gubernatorial election.

“We must all make sacrifices so that we can make progress. This committee alone cannot solve the problems. It requires our working together with you the stakeholders for PDP to win in Oyo State” the statement read.

Governorship aspirants in the Oyo state chapter of the party include former Governor of the state, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, Engineer Femi Babalola, an Ibadan-based business man, Prof. Soji Adejumo, former State Chairman of the Universal Basic Education Board, Azeem Gbolarumi, former Deputy Governor of the state, Seyi Makinde, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, the Minister of State, FCT, Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja, former Deputy governor, Senator Teslim Folarin, former Senate leader, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja former Minister of Sports, and others.