The Deputy National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bolaji Repete, has debunked the claims that Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has adopted Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila as the candidate for the speaker of the 9th National Assembly.
He said the promoter of the story, Hon Akeem Adeyemi, quoted Ajimobi out of context as he only advised that “they should toe the party line without mentioning any particular name” when voting during the inauguration of the 9th National Assembly.
Ajimobi had on Monday met with six APC Rep members-elect in Ibadan where he reportedly told them to support Gbajabiamila as the speaker of the 9th National Assembly.
Adeyemi, who is representing Atiba/Afijio,/Oyo East/Oyo West Federal constituency in the National Assembly, is the South-West Coordinator of Gbajabiamila for Speaker Campaign Organisation.
Repete, who is also the Special Assistant to Governor Ajimobi on Youth and Sports, in a statement said as the leader and father of the APC in the state, “Ajimobi always put the interest of the state first in whatever he does.”
He added, “In as much as the national leadership of the party has yet to zone the position of the speakership to any zone in the country, we are very optimistic that if eventually it is zoned to the South-West, Oyo State will never be pushed aside as we have two qualified persons who could vie for the position from the state.
“Nothing is wrong if Hon. Akeem Adeyemi, being the South-West coordinator of Gbajabiamila declared his support for him, but he should not drag the name of our leader into his personal ambition. He has the constitutional power to do so but he has no power to speak and address the press on behalf of our leader.
“We shall not trade our right and struggle for just a chairman of a House committee, we are resolute and nothing shall discourage us. We are also encouraging Hon. Odebunmi Segun representing Ogo Oluwa Surulere and Hon. Jide Olatubosun representing Saki East,West and Atisbo not to be discouraged by the antics of a few.
“As we await the official declaration from the governor as regards the issue of speakership, I urge all our Reps-elect to stand and defend the Oyo agenda.”
