Members of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) have expressed readiness to contest and win all the available positions in the forthcoming general elections in the country.
The Southwest stakeholders of the party, who converged on the political headquarters of the region, Ibadan, on Tuesday, made this known while talking to journalists shortly after the meeting.
The meeting, which was held to iron out some knotty issues within the Southwest executives and of the party nationwide, was hosted by the leader of the party in the region, Alhaji Adebisi Olopoeeyan.
The party had in attendance, all the state chairmen, secretaries and women leaders in the Southwest, while the National Secretary of the party, Chief Dipo Olayokun, address the stakeholders during the meeting after everybody had aired their opinions on different issues bothering on the forthcoming general elections and other issues as it is peculiar to different states from the Southwest region of the country.
Addressing journalists shortly after the meeting, Olayokun said NNPP has brighter chance than any other party to win the next general election as, according to him, an average Nigerian want new Nigeria and something different from what is obtainable now.
“When you look at the calibre of people we are presenting as our candidates, they are people of impeccable character that don’t have baggage they are carrying from previous offices. They are far mainly fresh guys that never get their hands soiled in the politics of the old. And that is exactly what Nigeria really want because it is very difficult to see a politician in the of old that has a very clean record.
“That is why right from the top, our presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has been in politics but there is no single scandal attached to the offices he has served in. I think we are good to go, our chances are very bright.” He stated.
Talking about constant destruction of the party’s billboards and posters in Oyo State, Olayokun said “it is a sign that the powers that be are jittery because they know that we are a force to reckon with and a major threat to them.”
“We see it as a welcome development, though it costs us a lot of money. However, the feedback we are getting, the people of Oyo State know the billboards of the party they are destroying. It is even creating more interests in our party, but tell them that that is not how to play politics. We want politics without rancour, politics of friends; election is just for people to determine who rules them or who is their leader. And they don’t have to engage in activities that is detrimental to the peace of the state.” He added.
In the meantime, Oyo Gubernatorial Candidate of the party, Popoola Olukayode Joseph disclosed that he is ready for election and he has firm belief and assurance based on his track records in politics and other areas that he would be victorious.
POJ however alleged that Chairman, Oyo Park Management System, Lamidi Mukaila (Auxiliary) and his boys are responsible for vandalization of their billboards in Oyo State, adding they are agents of PDP whom he alleged of jittery as a result of their structures and influence across the state.
Meanwhile, earlier at the meeting, the governorship candidates of the party in Lagos and Ogun States, Otunba Olanrewaju Jimkamal and Comrade Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo respectively while talking to journalists expressed optimism that the party will win the next elections across the country.
Jimkamal applauded the meeting’s attendees and however disclosed that he is firmly prepared to face Governor Babajide Sanwoolu and Jandor in the election slated for 2023. He said he already has eight local governments among which are Alimosho and Kosofe whose supports would guarantee his victory.
Oguntoyinbo on his own justified that his manifesto, competence and sagacity are the yardsticks that would give him victory against both Governor Dapo Abiodun and Ladi Adebutu.
Earlier in his welcome address, Olopoeyan appreciated the participation of all stakeholders at the zonal meeting, maintaining that the roundtable discussion would address challenges and eventually pave ways for winning general elections.
Among the stakeholders at the meeting are the National Sec, Dipo Olayokun, National Auditor, Barr Oladapo Johnson, Southwest NNPP Leader, Alhaji Adebisi Olopoeyan, Southwest Zonal Chairman, Prince Ayoade Ademola, Oyo State Gubernatorial Candidate, Chief Popoola Olukayode Joseph, Ogun State Gubernatorial Candidate, Comrade Olufemi Ajadi, Lagos State Gubernatorial Candidate, Otunba Olanrewaju Jimkamal, Deputy National Woman Leader, Southwest Zonal Woman Leader, Southwest Organising Secretary, Southwest Party Chairmen and other concerned stakeholders across Oyo, Ogun, Lagos, Ekiti, Ondo and Osun States making Southwest geopolitical zone.