A group, loyal to former Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, under the aegis of National Mandate Group (Oyo Chapter) has expressed their readiness to support the PDP presidential candidate in the forthcoming 2023 general elections, Atiku Abubakar.
In a statement signed by the group and made available to newsmen in Ibadan on Wednesday, the group clarify its position concerning the forthcoming 2023 General Elections.
The statement reads:
“After extensive deliberation today 3rd of November, 2022 in Ibadan, Oyo State, We, the National Mandate Group (Oyo Chapter) under the flagship of Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, Former Minister of State for FCT, being PDP Leaders & Members who have joined together in support of our Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar GCON, Waziri Adamawa, wish to state/clarify our position concerning the upcoming 2023 General Elections as follows:
“First and foremost, we appreciate the good people of Oyo State for considering our party, the PDP, as the best option and voting for our candidates in both the Gubernatorial and the Presidential elections in 2019, and for your continued and undiminished support thereafter.
“We give our wholehearted and unshakeable resolve and commitment to support the Presidential Candidate of our Party, the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar GCON, and indeed, all other PDP candidates during the upcoming 2023 general elections.
“We are confident that Atiku Abubakar is the best qualified leader to rescue, reform and restore Nigeria to greatness.
“The National Mandate Group (Oyo State Chapter) as PDP leaders and members hereby vehemently refute, disown and deny any suggestion that the Oyo State PDP will support any candidate other than Atiku Abubakar for the Presidency of Nigeria.
“We deeply abhor and frown at any denigration or use of our Oyo State Anthem, of which we are justly proud, and which is the heritage of all Oyo State citizens regardless of religious or political affiliation, to imply support for any candidate whosoever vying for political office.
“It is totally unacceptable and demeaning to reduce the Oyo State Anthem in the service of mere partisan politics. Our State Anthem speaks of our rich and God-given front line position as the
pathfinder state and should remain inviolable and unsullied. Indeed,
‘Ipo Asiwaju l’Edumare fun wá Nipinle Oyo!’
“Once again, we reiterate our total support for our presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the only candidate with the competence for the herculean task to fix Nigeria and correct the disastrous eight years of APC misrule.
“We urge the good people of Oyo State to vote for the PDP all the way down the ballot.”