By Adeola Badru

The National Secretary of the Accord Party, Adebukola Ajaja, has enjoined indigenes of Oke-Ogun in Oyo State, to use their votes to end what she described as the marginalisation of the zone in the 2023 general elections.

Ajaja made this disclosure yesterday, during the flag-off of the campaign for the Oyo North senatorial candidate of the party, Shina Abiola Peller.

Many party chieftains were present at the flag-off held at Adabo market, palace square, Ode Oba in Iseyin.

Oyo North consists of thirteen local government areas spread across ten (10) local government areas in Oke-Ogun and three (3) local government areas in Ogbomoso.

Ajaja, while addressing party men, alleged that the people of Oke-Ogun which has ten local government areas have been marginalised for many years by Ogbomoso which has only three local government areas.

The former member of the House of Representatives, however, said the only way to end the marginalisation is for the people of the zone to vote for the candidate of the party who is also from the zone.

She said women, youths and other indigenes of area have been clamouring for an Oke-Ogun candidate for the Oyo North senator in 2023.

She added that all the major political parties picked their candidates from Ogbomoso except the Accord Party which picked an indigene of Oke-Ogun zone.

Ajaja explained that Accord picked Shina Peller to end the alleged marginalisation of the zone in 2023.

She said: “You said that you want a Senator in Oyo North to come from Oke Ogun in 2023 and Accord has presented one of your own. It is you that you will use your votes to end marginalisation.”

“All the major political parties picked their candidates from Ogbomoso, APC, PDP and even SDP picked their candidates from Ogbomoso and Accord is the only one that picked a candidate from Oke-Ogun.”

“The women constitute 60 percent of the electorate during elections, It is what you want that you want and it is what you reject that you reject. So, use your votes to correct the marginalisation. Use your to end the marginalisation.”

“Youths, you have been clamouring that it is your turn to produce the senator in the zone and Peller is also a youth. So do not let anyone take it from you. God will help us. Use your votes to elect him to end the marginalisation.”

Peller in his remarksexplained that the party remains the only party that has the interest of the people in mind.

“I believe that this is a new dawn in our senatorial district. In 2019, I asked for your votes to go for the house of representatives and I decided not to seek a second term because I believed in justice and fairness.”

“I am going for the senate because I believe in justice and fairness. Accord is the party that has the interest of the people,” he said.

While expressing confidence that 2023 will be a year of breakthroughs for Nigeria, the lawmaker said that generations yet unborn shall be told stories of historic events that would occur in 2023, but that only if the present generation can leverage the golden opportunity the year 2023 presents.

He stated that it is civic responsibility of every patriotic Nigerian to make 2023 count by electing competent, patriotic, selfless and innovative leaders across political parties that will ensure a functional system for Nigeria.

“With numerous natural and human capital resources available to us, it is not debatable that Nigeria is destined to be great; we only need to make it happen.”

“We mustn’t fail to take advantage of this golden opportunity to vote right because if we get it wrong the unborn generations won’t be happy with us.”

“It is my greatest hope that we have transparent and credible polls that would reflect the true wishes of Nigerians.”

“As we are preparing for the polls next month, it is our civic responsibility to make it count by electing competent, patriotic, selfless, and innovative leaders across political parties that can deliver a functional system; contributing their quota to a better Nigeria,” he advised.