Oyo Ministerial Nominee Denies Rift With Ajimobi

Adebayo-Shittu-Ministerial-NomineeThe ministerial nominee for Oyo State, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, has denied reports of a rift between him and the governor of his state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Thursday following the speculations that have trailed his nomination as a minister, Shittu said contrary to the insinuations in some quarters in the state, he has a cordial and robust relationship with Governor Ajimobi.

“It is true that we had political differences in the past but that has been put behind us. We were both contestants in the 2011 gubernatorial election when I contested as candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) while Senator Ajimobi was the candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

“However, our differences had been settled when the ACN and CPC merged with other legacy parties to form the All Progressives Congress (APC). We are brothers and there is no problem between us”, he said.

The ministerial nominee added that this was why he could serve as the Chief Collation Officer for the APC and President Muhammadu Buhari in Saki West/Saki East/Atisbo Federal Constituency in the presidential election and Saki West for Ajimobi in the gubernatorial election in the 2015 general election.

Shittu also thanked the governor, the senators from Oyo State and the leadership of the party in the state for the support they have extended to him since his nomination.

Acknowledging that there are some party members who have expressed opposition to his nomination, Shittu said it was natural in politics that people will have divergent views on issues as nominations for public office.

He, however, said what is most important is that differences are amicably resolved for the unity of the political family and the well-being of the people at large.

Shittu promised that he remains committed to the unity and development of the APC in Oyo State and the country at large.

“We are all committed to the development of Nigeria and the prosperity of our people through the well-articulated ideals of our great party”, he concluded.