Oyo: More groups back Ajimobi as Ladoja warns

By Ola Ajayi, Ibadan

The popularity of the governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Senator Abiola Ajimobi, spread, yesterday, as a body under the aegis of Oyo State Professionals said he remained the only candidate for the governorship seat of the state. 

The endorsement from the group would bring to three that Ajimobi has enjoyed so far.

Last week, Ibadan Elders Forum and some group of students led by Dare Ogunlana also said the people of the state should vote for him.

Ibadan Elders Forum’s endorsement generated some heated argument from Senator Rashidi Ladoja, the governorship candidate of the Accord Party, and former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN), both of whom described the comments by the elders as selfish, unstatesmanly and retrogressive.

The Oyo Professionals, after a marathon meeting to suggest who should be voted for among the candidates, said, for the battered image of the state to be changed for better, the voters in the state should cast their votes for the ACN candidate.

Meanwhile, Ladoja is alleging a plan by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to rig the governorship election in the state, saying anybody who tries it would be dealt with.

Unlike the 2007 election when rigging was brazenly done, he said this time around, the people of Oyo were resolute and ready to defend their votes.

He said, while speaking with newsmen,  yesterday, in his Bodija residence, “The situation today would not allow any rigging.”