Ondo 2020: Why I stepped down for Akeredolu – Ife Oyedele

A former aspirant for the governoship seat in the October 10 election under the auspices of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state, engineer Ife Oyedele says he has withdrawn from the race for Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

Oyedele, in a statement signed by Mr. Yomi Adebayo, his Media aide said he stepped down in the interest of the Party after due consultation with it’s leaders

Below is the statement Unedited:

The IFEOLUWA Oyedele Campaign Organization is immensely grateful to our teeming supporters and sea of admirers for their love, loyalty and steadfastness since the commencement of the gubernatorial aspiration of Engr. Ife Oyedele.

Engr. Oyedele is convinced that party supremacy, the unity of the APC, peace and stability as well as the overall development of Ondo State are higher ideals than the pursuit of personal ambitions. Thus, after due consultation and in difference to the noble interventions of the leaders of our Party across all levels to ensure unity within the APC family in Ondo State, the IFEOLUWA Oyedele Campaign Organization wants to use this medium to announce to all our supporters that we are withdrawing from the governorship race and throwing our weight behind the incumbent Governor, HE Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu. This great sacrifice is strictly borne out of selflessness and patriotism – values that the statesmanship of our nation desperately needs today.

The Engr. IfeOluwa OYEDELE’s governorship project is effectively owned by the good people of Ondo State and though it is not in our principal’s character to capitulate in the course of spearheading a project owned by the people, however, the present circumstances threatening the unity of our Party in Ondo State call for drastic actions and personal sacrifices among the leaders of the Party and all stakeholders.

We want to sincerely thank all of you for your commitment and the confidence you reposed in Engr. IFEOLUWA Oyedele. You have worked tirelessly to make us a force to be reckoned with in this race. You will forever remain in our hearts.

Personally for our Principal, Engr. IfeOluwa OYEDELE, the display of love from all and sundry across Nations, creed and religious divide have proven to him beyond reasonable doubt that the decision to rise up in the defence of the people was the right thing to do. However, as stated earlier like the Yoruba are wont to say. “Moja mosa lanpe lakikanju; akikanju to moja ti o mosa ogun lon ko iru won lo”. Simply transmitted to mean. “He who fights and run away live to fight another day.”

Finally, Engr. IfeOluwa OYEDELE has promised by the mercies of Almighty God that he will always stand on the side of the people even as the people have done to him.

We urge all well-meaning members of the APC to remain focused on rebuilding our Party uniting of people for rapid economic development so as to reshape the fortunes of Ondo State for the better.

THANK YOU FOR STANDING WITH US.

Signed:
Yomi Adebayo
Director of Media and Publicity
IFEOLUWA OYEDELE Campaign Organisation