Ignore Ajimobi’s pressure, return to power – Group tells Alao-Akala

A group, Movement for Democracy (MFD), on Thursday warned former governor of Oyo state, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala not to succumb to any undue pressure especially from Governor Abiola Ajimobi of the state by cajoling him to drop his gubernatorial ambition in the 2019 governorship election.

MFD spokesperson, Dan Ogunosun in a statement made available to DAILY POST stressed that in as much as majority of the people of the state are presently beckoning on Alao-Akala to come back in 2019 as the next governor of the state, the former governor should not allow anyone deter him not to listen to the voices of reasoning by turning down the anti-masses call.

Ogunosun said, “We in MFD are hereby urging Otunba Alao-Akala not to disappoint the good people of Oyo state by turning deaf ears to attempts to cajole and persuade him to forget about contesting the 2019 governorship election”.

He noted that those who have been mounting pressure on the former governor have selfish interest.

Ogunosun said, “Those that might be mounting pressure on him not to contest have their selfish agenda. What they want is a stooge they can pocket and have total control over and they know Akala is too big for their pocket hence their main reason for trying all possible means to stop him from contesting in 2019.

“Oyo state does not need an inexperienced person as the governor in 2019, experience and ability to carry people along are the major factors and that is what Akala personifies.

“It is a fact that of all those claiming to have governorship ambition for the 2019 election in Oyo state, none of them can equate Otunba Alao-Akala in terms of popularity, experience, acceptability and grassroots politics including those claiming to be the anointed or identified aspirants of Governor Abiola Ajimobi”.

Ogunosun continued by saying, “On our part at MFD, we are not ready to rest on our oars at ensuring that in Oyo state, come 2019, we put a round peg in the round hole by making Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala contest and win the governorship election, and it is pertinent to charge other lovers of Oyo state and democracy to join us in prevailing on Otunba Alao-Akala to without wasting time come out and make his intention known as the people of Oyo state are awaiting his declaration”.

He urged supporters of the ex-governor to remain steadfast and not to be deterred by ploy of the incumbent governor.

“Once again, we are pleading with all supporters of Otunba Alao Akala in and across Oyo state to remain steadfast and be prepared to frustrate the tyrannical ploy of Ajimobi headlong not minding the consequences.”