BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
Barely 24 hours to the governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State, one of the six aspirants jostling for the party’s ticket, Dr Akin Ogunbiyi has pulled out of the race.
Ogunbiyi announced withdrawal of his participation at the primary, slated to hold tomorrow in Osogbo, while briefing newsmen at his campaign office in the capital city on Monday.
The business mogul cum politician cited bias of the national leadership of the party and alleged decision of the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu to work with another aspirant, Senator Ademola Adeleke as part of his reasons for his withdrawal.
He said, “I came to this decision; it’s a very difficult decision for me because of the amount of investment and the hope my personality and my leadership would have given to Osun State but when you have an umpire who is so bias to the extent of planning with other group, what can you do?
“Distinguished Senator Ayu has agreed to work with Ademola Adeleke and I actually being told that I shouldn’t waste my money and we did everything possible. So, I can only come to the conclusion to withdraw from the race because up till this moment, they are there planning on how they can execute it. And irrespective of whatever it is we get from the court, irrespective of the fact, the people coming from Abuja will always do the dictate of their leaders.
“So, they have made up their minds to give the primaries to Senator Ademola Adeleke. So, if they have done that and I have seen it has been concluded, so, why should I use my credibility. I don’t want them to use my credibility to sustain whatever are their inadequacies. That is why I am withdrawing my participation in the primary election. I will duly notify in writing, my withdrawal.
“I was actually asked direct question wether I would be violent, and I said I am never a violent person; my ambition is not worth the blood of anybody. When we got the court judgement, they shut Wadata (PDP Secretariat); have you ever heard that? And they went into a private place to hold their meetings. All because they want to return Ademola Adeleke. They will come in with heavy policemen and security. And what would I say? Even the blood of a goat is not worthy to be shed for my ambition.”
