I won’t impose my successor - Ajimobi

Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, has said that he will not impose anybody on the people in the 2019 governorship election.

The governor said this during a reception organised by the Ibadan Elders Forum to celebrate his re-election.

The reception was held on Saturday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Ajimobi told the elder statesmen that his successor would emerge without any interference.

A statement on Monday quoted the governor as promising that he would deviate from the norm and that he would provide a level playing field to facilitate the emergence of his successor.

Ajimobi said, “Although the norm is for the incumbent to anoint a successor, I will deviate from that path. I will not impose anybody on the good people of Oyo State. I trust that they will make informed decisions during the election.

“My conviction that the imposition of a successor is sometimes counter-productive stems from the fact that I’m not a product of imposition. I was not imposed during my first tenure and God made it possible for me to break the second term jinx.

“I’m confident that my successor will emerge naturally through his vision, achievements, courage and commitment to the cause of the masses. We have many efficient, hardworking and competent people across the state capable of succeeding me on personal merits.”

The governor urged eminent citizens of the state avoiding politics to have a rethink.

He said the violence that characterised politics in the state had become history.

The governor also lauded the role the Ibadan elders played in his emergence as governor in 2011.

In his address, a former President of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Chief Adebayo Oyero, said that the IEF was formed with the original aim of returning Senator Rashidi Ladoja to office.

He said when it was clear that Ladoja’s former party (Peoples Democratic Party) would not give him the governorship ticket, the IEF scouted for candidates from other political parties.

“After a painstaking analysis of other candidates, including their platform, grass roots spread, prospects of making an impact during the election, the IEF decided to back Senator Ajimobi,” he said.

In his address, a retired diplomat, Ambassador Olusola Sanu, urged Ajimobi to wipe out corruption.

Other dignitaries at the event were: Renowned industrialist, Chief Kola Daisi; Chairman, Kakanfo Inn and Conference Centre, Dr. Lekan Are; Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN) ; a former Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Nurudeen Adekola; Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Bayo Adelabu and a former Vice-Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof. Adeniyi Osuntogun.