The ancient town of Oyo in Oyo State was literally locked down on Monday as the All Progressives Congress (APC) flagged off its campaign for the 2023 elections.
The ceremony, which was held at the Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III stadium opposite the palace, drew candidates, their supporters, party leaders and members from the 33 local governments of the State. All the roads within 1,000 metres radius to the venue were locked down by party faithful who trooped to the stadium.
The popular Akesan market, which borders the stadium, saw a paralysis of activities while the ceremony lasted.
Party leaders including Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro and Chief Jelili Adesiyan attended the ceremony. The leader of the party in the State, Chief Iyiola Oladokun, Sen. Olufemi Lanlehin and other top leaders graced the ceremony.
Oyo APC chairman Isaac Omodewu congratulated the candidates and party members, saying the APC was waxing stronger in the state. He presented the party’s flag to candidates of the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate and Sen. Teslim Folarin who is the governorship candidate.
He urged the crowd to vote for all the candidates in the forthcoming elections.
Addressing the crowd, Folarin described Governor Seyi Makinde as an inexperienced politician who has proved that he is incapable of governing the state.
He decried the violence allegedly perpetrated by hoodlums loyal to the governor, paralyzed local governments and pointed out that the Governor was behaving like an aide to Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike.
Some of the leaders, including Obanikoro and Adesiyan, urged the crowd to mobilise voters for all the candidates.
The party also received some defectors from the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) in Oyo Federal constituency.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
