Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi has revealed that all governorship aspirants under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state have his blessing to express their interests in contesting for gubernatorial ticket under the party, but was quick to add that he has no ‘anointed’ candidate among them.

Ajimobi who also informed party members that the leadership of the party in the state have been mandated to mobilize voters registration, manage intra-party conflict and make a choice of party primary to adopt, stated this while addressing members of the party at the Oyo South Senatorial district meeting held at Lafia hall, Lafia Hotel, Apata, Ibadan, on Monday.

He said “All aspirants took permission from me and I told them to go ahead, I don’t have anointed candidate. But if anybody has been telling you that I have anointed him, it’s a lie. I have no anointed candidate, all of them are qualified.

“They are coming out because our government has changed the face of politics in the state. Anyone who gets our party ticket will win the governorship election and other elections come 2019 as well.

“From the National headquarters of our party, we have been mandated to pick a candidate that can win election, I am not going to impose anyone, all aspirants are qualified certificate wise and able, but whoever that cannot purchase nomination form is not qualified.

“I don’t crave for loyalty of whoever that will emerge as our party’s candidate but want them to be loyal to the masses and be God-fearing. I assure you, APC governorship candidate will emerge soonest.”

The governor further hinted that the party will soon invite all aspirants for a very robust discussion which will include major stakeholders in the party, members of the state executive.

The party chairman in the state, Chief Akin Oke also thanked the governor for the spearheading the successes recorded so far by the party.

He said, “What we are doing today makes me proud as the party chairman. Your presence validates my hope that our party, APC is intact, despite the blackmail that we have been reduced to zero.

•Excerpted from a Tribune report