Senator Ben Obi

By Yinka Kolawole

President Goodluck Jonathan Saturday in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, declared that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was set to take over all the six states of the South West geo-political zone in the next general election, saying the party had all it takes to rule the zone.

Jonathan spoke at a civic reception organised by the Osun State chapter of the PDP for the National Secretary of the party and former governor of the state, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

The President, who was represented by his special adviser on Inter Party affairs, Senator Ben Obi, said the PDP had capable members who could serve well in the South-west, adding that the party was made up of knowledgeable individuals in the South-west and other parts of the country.

The president’s declaration came as the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio, urged the people of Osun State to rally round the leadership of the party, saying the stage was finally set for the party to form government in the South-west, maintaining that the state would not be an exception.

Akpabio stated, in his address delivered at the ceremony by the Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Obong Umana  Okon Umana, that Osun State was blessed with capable politicians, who were also ready to take the state from the woods.

"Let me state here without mincing words that the state and the good people of Osun State are looking up to you for leadership and it is my hope and belief that with the calibre of people in the party, the stage is now set for the party to form government in this state and other South-west state," Akpabio said.

The ceremony which drew the attention of eminent personalities and leaders of thoughts from across the country was also used to rally support for the state chapter of the party in its bid to return to power in the next general election. Also honoured at the reception was the Chairman, Board of Directors of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Engr. Olajide Ezekiel Adeniji, and the federal Commissioner of the National Population Commission (NPC) from Osun state, Chief Lere Oyewumi.

Top dignitaries who graced the event included the Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada; Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatai Ahmed; former Governor of Ekiti State, Engr. Segun Oni and former National Vice Chairman (South West) of the PDP, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo.

Others were the former Governor of Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Alao Akala; former Secretary to Osun State Government, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade; commissioners in the Oyinlola’s Government; former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Alhaji Adejare Bello, among other dignitaries.

The state chairman of the party, Alhaji Ganiyu Olaoluwa, in his address, said the honour done Oyinlola was a well-deserved one considering his contributions to the sustainability of the party and the position at which he’s representing the state.

Oyinlola, who was flanked by his wife, Omolola, expressed gratitude to the leadership of the party in the state for the honour done him and promised to be a good ambassador of the state.

He also charged all members of the party in the state to rally round the leaders of the party to ensure that the party restores its lost glory in no distant time in the state.